6514
document
Four-year outcomes from adolescent alcohol and drug treatment . OBJECTIVE Knowledge of treatment response for alcohol and drug problems among adults is mounting ; less is known about long-term outcome for adolescents who receive treatment for alcohol and drug problems . The current study examined youth substance involvement over 4 years ( using five waves of data collection ) following treatment for alcohol and drug abuse . METHOD A cohort of youth ( N = 162 , 60 % male ) treated during adolescence ( mean age = 16 years ) was followed into young adulthood , a period associated with stabilization of alcohol use patterns and elevated risk for life problems secondary to both alcohol and drug use . Participants ( 14-18 years old ) were consecutive admissions to inpatient adolescent alcohol and drug treatment centers in San Diego that were abstinence focused and based on the 12-step approach . RESULTS Alcohol and other drug use were reduced during the 4 years posttreatment , with the exception of nicotine . The greatest prevalence reduction occurred for stimulants ; modest changes were evident in alcohol and marijuana use . Nicotine was the most commonly used substance throughout the 4 years after treatment . Several distinct substance involvement trajectories were evident during the 4 years following treatment . CONCLUSIONS Alcohol and drug use patterns during the 4 years following treatment highlight both changes and diversity in substance involvement as youth make the transitions from middle to late adolescence and into young adulthood . Findings demonstrate the importance of identifying transitional periods and the need for alternative intervention strategies that may help the progression of this population into young adulthood .
6515
Intervention_Educational
adolescent alcohol and drug treatment
6516
Intervention_Educational
treatment for alcohol and drug problems
6517
Intervention_Educational
treatment for alcohol and drug abuse
6518
Outcome_Physical
Alcohol and other drug use
6519
Outcome_Physical
prevalence reduction
6520
Participant_Age
adolescent
6521
Participant_Age
adolescents
6522
Participant_Condition
alcohol and drug problems
6523
Participant_Age
youth
6524
Participant_Sample-size
162
6525
Participant_Age
adolescence
6526
Participant_Age
16 years )
6527
Participant_Age
young adulthood
6528
Participant_Age
14-18 years old