Substance Abuse Among Adolescents Substance Research Paper

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Treatment is also viewed as a tool to address an adolescent's use of one substance, whereas prevention programs address the risks of multiple substances (Sussman, 2011). Prevention programs that have provided some evidence of effectiveness include school-based educational programs and family-based programs (Sussman, 2011). Educational programs typically focus on social influences that lead to substance abuse, and work to build personal and social skills to help avoid abuse in social situations (Sussman, 2011). Family involvement in prevention is also effective within compliant families and can complement educational efforts. Programs providing motivation, skills, and enhancing decision making ability show the greatest potential to alter attitudes that influence behavior change, and prevent the use of drugs and alcohol (Sussman, 2011).

There are an estimated 1.4 millions teens with an alcohol or drug problem and only 10% are receiving treatment, compared to 20% of adults (Sussman, 2011). There is a general lack of adolescent treatment research, which hinders the identification of one treatment method to address abuse for all adolescent patients. The four primary treatment methods for adolescents are: the 12 step program of Alcoholics Anonymous; the therapeutic community approach; family therapy; and cognitive behavioral therapy (Sussman, 2011). Sussman advises randomized trials have failed to identify the relative superiority of any one type of treatment for adolescents (2011).

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Look towards the future, Sussman suggests prevention programs to be introduced to children at a younger age to encourage social and emotional learning while the brain is rapidly developing (2011). Treatment methodologies should be tailored for more specific interventions, and address adolescents with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders (Sussman, 2011).

Adolescent substance abuse is a concerning health problem within the U.S. By the age of 18, the majority of youth have consumed alcohol, and significant percentages of this population have also misused marijuana and illicit drugs. Substance abuse affects the lives of youth, their families, and community resources, as it increases the risk of poor academic performance, job instability, teen pregnancy, acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases, and criminal behavior. Sussman advocates for the use and better availability of prevention and treatment programs directed towards youth. Utilizing prevention methods at an even younger age will help children build the social and emotional skills needed to avoid future substance misuse. Treatment methods should be altered to address co-occurring abuse and mental disorders. Lowering the incidence of adolescent substance abuse relies on effective prevention programming and adequate treatment for individuals already suffering from drug….....

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