A critical review of adolescent substance abuse group treatments

Evidence-based social work requires the use of interventions that are supported by good research evidence. This article reviews the empirical research on adolescent alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse group treatments. Despite the popularity of group work, searches of the academic literature yielded only 13 adolescent group treatments for which AOD use outcomes have been reported. These treatments and the studies that evaluated them are systematically reviewed.

Methodological, efficacy rating, and treatment factor criteria are applied to these studies.

Statistically significant reductions in pre-, post-, and/or follow-up use rates of one or more substances were reported for 10 of the 13 reviewed treatments, but only two met Chambless and Hollon's (1998) criteria for "possible efficacy." Similarities between the two possibly efficacious treatments, as well as among the three treatments with no indication of positive outcomes are described. A major limitation of the studies overall was the lack of group treatment factor descriptions and analyses.

If the state of the science is to advance, adolescent AOD group treatment researchers must improve study designs and reporting on group-related treatment factors. Based on the limited information provided, treatment factors and/or active ingredients that may distinguish effective vs. ineffective group work are discussed. Finally, the evidence suggests that group work is a viable modality for treating adolescent AOD abuse despite recent concerns to the contrary. Recommendations for advancing the state of the science are made.