Describes investigation examining relationship between adolescent drug abuser's motivation to seek treatment and treatment outcome in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Found moderate relationship between motivation and problem reduction. Found that motivation to seek assistance with other life problems correlated positively with problem…

Study determined the change in prevalence of Methylphenidate misuse over the last four years in adolescents (N=240) assessed at an outpatient abuse treatment facility. Results showed a significant increase in Methylphenidate misuse over the last 2.5 years; this increase was greatest in White adolescents. Suggests that treatment with…

Examines how institutions, which are part of the substance abuse treatment industry, address the connection between tobacco and other drugs in youth. Results suggest that the majority of treatment programs are routinely assessing tobacco use of the youth in their care, but only a small proportion follow through with tobacco cessation as an…

Assesses the relationship between discharge status and therapeutic outcomes after discharge from a residential treatment program for adolescents. Results of this study did not indicate superior outcomes for the planned discharge group. Several issues are raised regarding the use of discharge status as a performance indicator and recommendations…

Study examines the use of urine screening as a clinical diagnostic procedure to assess and monitor adolescents in a school-based outpatient program (N=296). Random screening provides little information regarding diagnostic level and pattern of drug use; however it may be helpful in bringing about positive behavior change. (EMK)

A statewide treatment outcomes monitoring system included baseline interviews with 387 adolescents and 363 parents representing 37 programs. This study examined adolescent and parent predictors of treatment completion and 6-month outcomes. Only 21.4% of the adolescents reported abstinence for the 6 months following treatment; however, marijuana…

Compliance during drug treatment reflects treatment engagement. Examines self-assessed compliance, behavioral compliance, and their influences, among adolescents in treatment. Stepwise logistic regression showed that desire for help was significantly related to more compliance. Discusses the implications of these findings for adolescent treatment…

Study investigated whether or not participant needs were being met at a Family Night program for residential and outpatient clients. Responses indicated that increased satisfaction with the program was associated with increased participation, and with perceptions that the presented material related to their respective family problems. Implications…

Study assessed whether differences exist in levels of psychological distress in abused, chemically dependent adolescents when compared to non-abused counterparts, and non-abused, non-chemically dependent adolescents. Results indicated abused adolescents demonstrated more severe levels of distress, and earlier onset of alcohol and drug use.…

Youth substance use disorder treatment programs frequently advocate integration into 12-Step fellowships to help prevent relapse. However, the effects of the predominantly adult composition of 12-step groups on adolescent involvement and substance use outcome remain unstudied. Greater knowledge could enhance the specificity of treatment…

Evaluates the Personal Experience Inventory for convergent and predictive validity in a clinical sample of 140 youths being evaluated for drug treatment referral. Compares problem severity scales to concurrent client and parent measures of drug abuse and related psychosocial functioning at intake and one year later, to counselor intake ratings, to…

Examines the validity of the conduct disorder hypothesis of adolescent drug involvement on a large drug clinic-referred sample (N=2,582). It was hypothesized that factors of delinquency would account for the most variance in drug use compared to three competing factors (psychological distress, nonconventional values, and family distress). Analyses…

Examines characteristics that predict treatment outcomes for adolescents in inpatient (N=157) versus outpatient (N=296) treatment. Results show that a number of the characteristics found prognostics for adolescents are different from those reported from other studies for adult substance abusers. (MKA)

Examines relationships among adolescent drug use and family relationships, aspirations, school involvement, and delinquent behaviors. Analysis of 475 juvenile probationers yielded profiles of marijuana and alcohol use that were influenced by friends' alcohol or marijuana use, selling drugs, and other factors. Recommendations for intervention,…

Substance abusing adolescents (n=30) with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and substance abusing non-ADHD (n=30) adolescents were compared in terms of treatment outcomes. Although treatment outcomes did not vary significantly, a difference was observed in actual length of stay. Those with a behavior diagnosis stayed an average of 36…