Effective Treatment

Results of existing studies indicate that adolescent substance abuse is a complex, but treatable problem. Although there is evidence for the efficacy of both inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment, no one specific modality of treatment has demonstrated consistent efficacy in promoting lasting long-term decreases in adolescent substance use. Rather than advocating for a specific modality of treatment, research findings suggest that the inclusion of specific elements of treatment is essential for positive treatment outcomes. Several promising approaches to adolescent chemical dependency exist. Regardless of the setting, inpatient or outpatient, programs that use comprehensive assessment procedures, address multiple problems, use a team case-management approach, stress family involvement, use cognitive-behavioral techniques, deliver services in the home, and provide continuing care appear to be the most effective in treating substance abuse.

Three national model programs (Escambia County Juvenile Drug Court program in Pensacola, Florida, Denver Juvenile Justice Integrated Treatment Network in Denver, Colorado, and the Bridge Program in South Carolina, have in common the same principles which contribute to increasingly successful outcomes:

  • results from a comprehensive assessment procedure drive the treatment plan

  • treatment is tailored to meet the individual's needs, providing therapeutic, academic, and medical services; a team approach to treatment is taken

  • all individuals on the treatment team are experienced with adolescent substance-abuse treatment and are enthusiastic about the program

  • treatment is at least a year in duration with frequency of contact decreasing over time

  • family involvement is stressed

  • there are frequent home visits for therapy and monitoring of progress

  • therapy is strength-based and utilizes a variety of techniques including individual and group therapy, cognitive-behavioral interventions, supportive therapy, and even inpatient treatment if warranted
There are to date, no published outcome studies in these programs, but a 74 percent abstinent rate for treatment completers was reported for the Bridge Program. For the Escambia Drug Court Program, re-arrest rates were reported at 5 percent 18 months after treatment. The Denver program reported a 19 percent recidivism rate over one year for treatment completers.

Excerpted from: Rutherford, B. & Banta-Green, C. (1998). Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment: A Review of the Literature. ADAI Technical Report 98-01. Seattle, WA: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington.

Web Resources on Effective Substance Abuse Treatment: