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Relapse patterns among adolescents treated for chemical dependency.
S F Spear1, J R Ciesla, S Y Skala
1School of Allied Health Professions, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb 60115, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|December 14, 1999
Summary
Over 60% of adolescents relapse to previous alcohol and drug use levels within 12 months of completing treatment. Relapse patterns varied by substance, highlighting the need for tailored aftercare support.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Adolescent psychology
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Adolescent substance use poses significant public health challenges.
- Understanding relapse patterns post-treatment is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the levels, timing, and patterns of posttreatment alcohol and drug use in adolescents.
- To identify factors influencing relapse rates in this population.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 113 adolescents over 12 months post-treatment.
- Data collection via clinical records, urine screens, and parent/adolescent interviews.
Main Results:
- 61.1% of adolescents relapsed to pretreatment use levels within 12 months.
- Higher relapse rates observed in males (79.6%) compared to females (59.3%).
- Relapse rates varied by substance: alcohol (45.9%), marijuana (75.0%), combined (70.6%), other drugs (50.2%).
Conclusions:
- Adolescent relapse after primary treatment is common, with significant variations based on gender and substance type.
- Relapse curves provide insights into the timing and patterns of substance use recurrence.
- Findings underscore the importance of individualized aftercare planning and support following adolescent addiction treatment.