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Addressing Substance Use Disorders Among System-Involved Girls
Akemi E Mii1, Brittany Bryant1, Megan Ramaiya1
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Building 5, Suite 7M8, San Francisco, CA 94100, USA.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|November 19, 2025
Summary
Adolescent girls, especially those in the child welfare or legal systems, are underrepresented in substance use research. Treatment must address their unique needs, including trauma and societal factors, for effective intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Psychology
- Substance Use Disorders
Background:
- Adolescent substance use is a significant public health issue.
- Research on substance use interventions disproportionately includes boys, with girls comprising less than 20% of study samples.
- Girls involved with child welfare or legal systems are particularly underrepresented in research and face unique challenges in treatment engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical underrepresentation of adolescent girls in substance use intervention research.
- To emphasize the unique needs of system-involved adolescent girls in substance use treatment.
- To advocate for tailored, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed treatment approaches for adolescent girls.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing intervention research focusing on adolescent substance use.
- Examination of demographic data regarding participation of adolescent girls in clinical trials.
- Qualitative synthesis of factors influencing treatment engagement for system-involved girls.
Main Results:
- Adolescent girls, particularly those in the child welfare and legal systems, are significantly underrepresented in substance use intervention research.
- System-involved girls present with distinct needs compared to boys, often linked to trauma and societal/structural factors.
- Current treatment models may not adequately address the intersectional needs of adolescent girls.
Conclusions:
- Substance use treatment for adolescent girls requires a specialized, gender-responsive approach.
- Interventions must integrate trauma-informed care and relational strategies.
- Addressing societal and structural factors is crucial for improving treatment outcomes for vulnerable adolescent girls.
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