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## Other Youth Topics

## Breadcrumb

            -  Youth Topics 
            -  Substance Use/Misuse 
            -           Substance Abuse Treatment      

# Substance Abuse Treatment

### Elements of Effective Treatment Programs

Evidence suggests that successful early intervention and treatment carries significant benefits for individuals and society. Despite the fact that there is no single treatment approach that works for everyone, standard treatments have been shown to produce significant decreases in substance abuse and in substance-related problems.1

The field of research-based youth treatment services is relatively young, but growing fast. Findings point to specific differences in adolescent treatment programs, not only in the design of treatment protocols, but also in medication regimens, continued care, and the role of self-help. Providers have found that linkage of multiple service environments with the family or guardians involved is critical to effective youth treatment. Additionally, a youth program needs to describe how to conduct parent training classes, set up supervised free time, provide pro-social activities, manage interagency teams, ensure appropriate educational services, and involve juvenile justice/drug courts and other child-serving systems.2

The following list of essential components can act as a guide to developing appropriate services for youth.3

### Essential Components of Effective Treatment

**Progressive Assessment**

Human service workers need an understanding of the stages of substance abuse, the areas of life that are affected by abuse, and how to assess when it becomes a problem. There are a number of screening tools available to assess an individual’s involvement with alcohol and drugs.

**Providing Comprehensive Services**

Programs must consider the individuality and co-occurring or co-existing mental health needs of youth with substance disorders. There is little evidence that one modality of treatment or session format (i.e., individual, group, or family) is appropriate for all clients. Flexibility, availability, and treatment matching a client's needs to available services are the most effective approach. Evidence-based practices for youth include protocols that are motivational, cognitive-behavioral and behavioral, family-oriented, and centered around 12-step strategies.  

**Orientation**

Programs should make the orientation process inviting and easy to understand. Materials that explain the process of treatment (i.e., the consent for treatment, confidentiality, available options) should also be available to family members so they have a clear understanding of what is to be expected of the youth and their families and the clinicians. This vital component of service is often brushed over, but it is essential to engaging families.

**Adolescent-focused Treatment**

Services must be engaging (i.e., dynamic and active, and focused on the individual), clinically and developmentally appropriate, and strengths-based. Evidence-based treatment manuals address developmental factors, including adapting to situations, triggers, and consequences for youth. These manuals offer treatments that use motivational philosophies to engage individuals in treatment, use concrete versus abstract concepts, deal with loss-of-control issues, support recovery environments, and support continued care. These adolescent practices include targeted sessions for victimization/trauma, anger management, depression, and gender and cultural issues.

Treatment should emphasize the acquisition of new abilities and skills to deal with the issues. Programs should also include ongoing *psychiatric services*with continued assessment, medication management, and family involvement (i.e., assessment, parent education, multifamily groups, family counseling, parent behavior training, and home visits). Of equal importance is linkage to *education services* (on-site if residential), *wrap-around services* (e.g., care coordination of formal services and interventions, together with community services and interpersonal support and assistance provided by friends, relatives, and other people drawn from the family’s social networks), *health care services* (e.g., contraception, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and treatment for asthma/respiratory problems), recreational activities (e.g., room for gross motor activities), and exposure to non-using activities.

**Availability of a Continuum of Care**

A continuum of care must respond to the full range of service needs: prevention, screening, assessment, intervention, a menu of treatment options, case management/specialized rehabilitation, and continued care.

**Gender and Cultural Competence**

Gender competence and cultural competence are essential in developing a successful therapeutic alliance between a youth and his or her counselor. Programs must take into account the significant differences between male and female adolescent substance users. The same type of program responsiveness is critical for working with youth and families of mixed racial and cultural identities. Sensitivity to others and factors that help build trust are especially important for gay and lesbian youth who might not otherwise be willing or able to address key aspects of their identity.

## Resources

**National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)**The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration supports NREPP, a searchable online registry of more than 200 interventions supporting mental health promotion, substance abuse prevention, and mental health and substance abuse treatment. NREPP connects members of the public to intervention developers so they can learn how to implement these approaches in their communities.

**Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask**This publication from the National Institute on Drug Abuse offers guidance in seeking drug abuse treatment and lists five questions to ask when searching for a treatment program, as well as providing additional treatment resources.

1 Morral, McCaffrey, Ridgeway, Mukherji, & Beighley, 20062 Drug Strategies, 20033 This list was adapted from Drug Strategies, 2003; Physicians and Lawyers for National Drug Policy & The National Judicial College, 2008; Forum on Integration, 2010; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001; Covington, 2008  

## Youth Briefs

How Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Planning Makes a Difference for Youth with Disabilities
Youth who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and especially young adults of transition age, should be involved in planning for life after high school as early as possible and no later than age 16. Transition services should stem from the individual youth’s needs and strengths, ensuring that planning takes into account his or her interests, preferences, and desires for the future.

Youth Transitioning to Adulthood: How Holding Early Leadership Positions Can Make a Difference
Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and adulthood. In addition, young leaders tend to be more involved in their communities, and have lower dropout rates than their peers. Youth leaders also show considerable benefits for their communities, providing valuable insight into the needs and interests of young people

How Trained Service Professionals and Self-Advocacy Makes a Difference for Youth with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Co-occurring Issues
Statistics reflecting the number of youth suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders highlight the necessity for schools, families, support staff, and communities to work together to develop targeted, coordinated, and comprehensive transition plans for young people with a history of mental health needs and/or substance abuse.

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions
Nearly 30,000 youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year 2009, which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year. This transition can be challenging for youth, especially youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

Coordinating Systems to Support Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs
Research has demonstrated that as many as one in five children/youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Read about how coordination between public service agencies can improve treatment for these youth.

Civic Engagement Strategies for Transition Age Youth
Civic engagement has the potential to empower young adults, increase their self-determination, and give them the skills and self-confidence they need to enter the workforce. Read about one youth’s experience in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

## Main navigation

- Substance Use/Misuse
- Prevalence of Use, Abuse, & Dependence
- Co-occurring Disorders
- Risk & Protective Factors
- Warning Signs
- Screening & Assessment
- Prevention
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- References

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