Describes habituation and addiction, both psychological and physiological, using simple equations of mathematical model of ideodynamics, optimized to smoking data from Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) program. With only four constant parameters, it was possible to calculate accurate time trends for recidivism to smoking among…

Describes Family Connections, a family skills building program, as an effective tool in preventing adolescent substance abuse. Discusses importance of basing family life education prevention programs on empowerment and family strengths therapeutic approach. (Author/CM)

Describes substance abuse counseling. Includes information on types of treatment, various programs, and education and training. (JOW)

Although students in all extracurricular activities are using drugs, differences in experimentation and use among participating and nonparticipating students are more extreme when specific substances are examined. Although extracurricular participation cannot be heralded as abuse prevention, students involved in these activities are not using…

Examined seven-year adolescent panel to determine whether attrition effects varied by type of substance assessed and method of measurement. Found study dropouts were more likely to use substances and reported higher mean use of substances at baseline than stayers; attrition effects varied by substance; and mean use comparisons were more likely to…

Study hypothesized that adolescent substance abusers are more likely to experience leisure as boredom than are nonabusers. A survey of 39 abusers and 81 controls measured differences in boredom in leisure. Results supported the hypothesis, suggesting an experiential approach in treating this population rather than traditional cognitive and more…

This study examined the relationship between intelligence and delinquency in 157 youth convicted of serious crimes. Few of the delinquents obtained high scores on intelligence testing; most were of below average intelligence. Highly intelligent delinquents shared a history of troubled family backgrounds, school behavior problems, substance abuse,…

Comparison of attitudes of 40 young adult substance abusers and 40 nonabusers found perceived parental rejection in childhood was higher among abusers than nonabusers and substance abusers were more impaired in their current psychological adjustment than nonabusers. These two variables and education level produced classification accuracy of 91.2…

Describes adolescent chemical dependency treatment model developed at Beech Hill Hospital (New Hampshire) which integrated Twelve Step-oriented alcohol and drug rehabilitation program with experiential education school, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. Describes Beech Hill Hurricane Island Outward Bound School Adolescent Chemical Dependency…

Contends that adolescent and elderly populations both exhibit attitudes, behavior, feelings, and reasons for alcohol and drug abuse that appear to be similar. Suggests that study of pediatrics can play role in development of geriatric movement by sharing common issues of both groups. Applies Erikson's stages of development to illustrate similarity…

Identifies three distinct levels of response to issues resulting from substance use, abuse, and addiction: prevention, intervention, and treatment. Defines and explains each of the three response levels and discusses each level's application to adolescents in need. Examines components of model response programs for youth. (Author/NB)

Examined social resource network characteristics of adolescent substance abusers (n=19). Perceived similarity to one's social network emerged as important moderator of whether social network provided support to remain abstinent or elevated risk for relapse. Increased perceived support predicted continued posttreatment abstinence when recovering…

Studied eight-week inpatient chemical dependency treatment unit with regard to patients' prior histories of violent physical and/or sexual abuse. Findings from 60 violently physically abused and/or sexually abused adolescent inpatients revealed significant correlations between physical and/or sexual abuse and increased rates of suicidal ideation…

Presents findings from research programs: first on substance abuse in juvenile offenders/adolescents with psychiatric/behavioral disorders focused on treatment issues (attributions for substance use, beliefs about effects of drugs, perceptions of family functioning); and second on psychiatric disorders in adolescent substance abuse patients…

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…