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Treatment outcomes in an adolescent chemical dependency program
1University of California School of Medicine at Davis, CA, USA.
Adolescence
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Adolescent substance abuse treatment shows positive outcomes, with 57% abstaining post-discharge. Factors like age and aftercare participation improve recovery success for teens in chemical dependency programs.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Adolescent Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent substance abuse is a significant public health concern.
- Effective treatment programs are crucial for long-term recovery.
- Understanding treatment outcomes informs future interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment outcomes for adolescents in a chemical dependency program.
- To identify factors influencing post-treatment recovery and relapse.
- To assess behavioral changes before and after treatment.
Main Methods:
- Study of admissions to an adolescent chemical dependency program over ten months.
- Parental interviews on adolescent behavior, substance use, and adaptive functioning.
- Analysis of pre-treatment and post-discharge data.
Main Results:
- 57% of adolescents abstained from drugs/alcohol post-discharge, rising to 82% in the past month.
- Relapses were often brief or involved lower substance use levels.
- Better outcomes linked to older age, aftercare participation, and shorter time since discharge.
- Pre-treatment clinical behavior scales normalized post-discharge, except for borderline elevated depressed behaviors in girls.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent chemical dependency treatment can yield positive outcomes.
- Continued aftercare and patient age are key factors for sustained recovery.
- While overall behavior improves, specific attention may be needed for girls' emotional well-being post-treatment.