Adolescent substance abuse treatment: A unified model

The purpose of this dissertation was to propose a unified, broad-based adolescent substance abuse treatment program that could be applied to all adolescent substance abusers regardless of family history, gender, drug abuse history, or cognitive abilities. A review of the current literature showed that many adolescent substance abusers in the past were treated with approaches designed for adults without taking into consideration the unique characteristics and needs of the adolescent. Based on the current literature, the proposed model culled out the most salient and effective characteristics from some approaches that have been utilized with some degree of effectiveness with adolescent substance abusers. The proposed model evolved as the culmination of what the literature showed to be essential factors that every approach to adolescent substance abuse treatment should contain. One of the most important factors found from the literature was the need to incorporate family therapy into treatment. Another essential factor was the need to address the multitude of domains that affect the adolescent's life. As a result, this model addressed the different adolescent domains of (a) substance use/abuse, (b) behavior patterns, (c) health status, (d) psychiatric disorder, (e) social competency, (f) family system, (g) school performance/adjustment, (h) work adjustment, (i) peer relationships, and (j) leisure/recreation. These needs were addressed through the model's multi-modal approach, which assessed and treated the 10 different domains in the adolescent's life. One other essential need posing a great challenge for adolescent substance abuse treatment was engagement and retention of the adolescents and their families in treatment. The model addressed this need through the inclusion of family therapy and by making treatment more appealing by giving the adolescent the freedom to design the treatment to some degree. Lastly, the need for aftercare, which the literature found to be an essential component for recovery, was also emphasized through the inclusion of AA/NA groups for both past and present adolescent patients, processing groups for the adolescents' parents, and community resource referrals.