Reviews incidence of substance abuse and implications for practice. Discusses variables that might be altered to prevent abuse among clients. Explores substance abuse theory, school and peer environment, family, the media, community movements, and business and industry in regard to prevention and treatment. (Author/NB)

Investigated relationship between occult participation, substance abuse, and level of self-esteem among 25 clinical (alcohol or drug treatment) and 25 nonclinical adolescents. Results indicated that adolescent substance abuse and occult participation were significantly related. Found significant differences between high versus low occult groups…

Problematic and unhealthy personality characteristics have typically been the focus of researchers interested in the possible causes of substance abuse/use. Study compares personality structure among three groups of rural college students: abstainers, experimenters, and regular users. Minimal support was obtained for the hypothesis that moderate…

Detailed data on the 14 adolescent cases from San Diego Suicide Study are presented and comparisons made to other studies. Data are presented that suggest that vast majority of adolescents who commit suicide have had relatively long histories of disturbed behavior and psychiatric symptoms (most typically depression and/or substance abuse).…

Examined non-K-corrected Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles of 243 adolescents presenting themselves for chemical dependency treatment in a residential setting. Results suggest general lack of psychopathology in this population, although significant elevation on Pd scale did emerge. Compared data to findings of previous studies…

Data from 11 substance abuse treatment programs revealed that street youth in treatment for substance abuse had larger number of social and drug abuse problems than did non-street youth in treatment; were more likely to be unemployed, on welfare, and to have legal problems; and had more depression, had lower self-esteem, and used more alcohol and…

Evaluates the Residential Student Assistance Program for its ability to prevent or decrease alcohol and other drug use in high-risk, multi-problem, inner-city minority adolescents. A fifth-year outcome evaluation documented the program's effectiveness in both preventing and reducing substance use among participants. (Author/MKA)

Investigates the association between personality disorder (PD) and substance use among adolescents in the United States and Greece. Results indicated that adolescents with PDs reported more frequent alcohol consumption than did those without PDs. Differences were not observed in the prevalence of alcohol use, cigarette use, or PDs as a function of…

Examined psychological correlates of sexual abuse in adolescent girls (N=597) at substance abuse inpatient facilities. Found high prevalence of sexual abuse victimization with over one-third acknowledging history of sexual abuse. Suggests sexual abuse victims show slightly different and often more serious psychopathology with suicidal ideation,…

Investigates restrained drinking and self control in relation to alcohol consumption and problem drinking in high school students (N=198). Findings were similar for males and females: higher levels of restrained drinking, as measured by cognitive emotional preoccupation (CEP), predicted higher levels of alcohol consumption and problem drinking.…

Examines the perceptions of sixth- through ninth-grade students (N=719) concerning evaluation of substance-abuse-prevention strategies. School-based programs were rated as significantly more effective on six prevention objectives than were television ads, testimonials by famous people, billboards, and print ads displayed on public transportation.…

Literature review on relationship between adolescent chemical dependency and family factors yielded two broad categories: family drug usage patterns and family atmosphere. Found strong relationship between adolescent substance abuse and family drug usage, family composition, family interaction patterns, and discrepancies in family perceptions.…

Used unobtrusive methods to collect data on substance use from 320 Nigerian partygoers aged 14 through 25. Found that adolescents tended to use following drugs in decreasing order of frequency: alcohol, cigarettes. stimulants, cannabis, and sedative-hypnotics. Polydrug use, especially of alcohol, stimulants, and cigarettes, was common. (Author/NB)

Examined relationship of shyness and sociability to illicit substance use in 654 male high school students. Found that, in general, shy males were significantly more likely to use illicit substances than were not-shy peers. Shy, highly sociable males were significantly more likely to use hallucinogenic substances than were shy, less sociable males…

Athletic directors in North Carolina (n=215) completed a questionnaire that broadly examined substance abuse of high school student athletes. Results were compared with the general student body and with a national survey of athletic directors' perceptions. Drug abuse among student-athletes was perceived to be of lesser magnitude regionally than…