Several competing dynamic models were applied to adolescent substance abuse using a cohort of 3,580 participants in a longitudinal study beginning in grade five. Evidence was found for an intrinsic self-regulating mechanism in adolescent smoking and drinking. Support for a dampened linear oscillator model is discussed. (SLD)

The connection between alcohol and other drug use and juvenile crime activities is well established. The source of this connection and specific interventions with juvenile offenders involved in alcohol and drug use is unclear. Reviews existing literature and presents an adolescent-specific relapse-prevention protocol that provides a structure for…

Demonstrates a method of improving first session attendance in a population of conduct-disordered and substance-abusing adolescents. Results indicate that an intensive intervention involving the youth and parent was more effective in improving session attendance than a less intensive intervention that excluded the youth's involvement. Discusses…

Reviewed child protective services' case records of 639 children placed in out-of-home care due to maltreatment, and systematically evaluated substance abuse by the child's parents or guardian prior to placement. Found that 79% of caregivers met criteria for caregiver substance abuse (CSA); children with and without CSA differed in age, ethnicity,…

Russian adolescents (N=159) were surveyed at a school near Moscow. Purposes were (1) to explore the relationship of Russian family environment with adolescent substance use and depression; (2) to use cross-national research methods for replicating U.S. studies. Many findings were similar, but others may be unique to Russian youth. (Author/EMK)

Investigates the validity of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) instrument in two studies. Results reveal that the SASSI effectively discriminated between an at-risk high school group and clients of a residential treatment center. However, agreement of SASSI classification with clinical diagnosis was only 62%, and Kappa…

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.…

Interviews Berenson on his distinctive approach to therapy with families and couples affected by addiction and provides references. Considers background and theoretical influences, and changes over time. Discusses the use of "phasing," collaboration with Twelve Step programs, and integration of a spiritual perspective into family and…

Compared conduct disorder behaviors and substance involvement of Hispanic (n=34) and non-Hispanic Caucasian (n=34) adolescents so as to determine pre-treatment problem behavior. Results indicate that non-Hispanic Caucasian youth were three times as likely to be diagnosed with conduct disorder prior to substance involvement than were their Hispanic…

Explored the rate of alcohol and drug abuse among female and male adolescents (N=123) in public housing communities and examined risk factors leading to substance abuse. Results indicate no gender differences in alcohol or drug abuse. Poor academic performance was seen as a risk factor for alcohol abuse. (RJM)

A brief screening instrument used on adolescents (N=176) identified significantly more alcohol, tobacco and other drug users than primary-care physicians normally identify. Twenty-five percent of abusers were interested in receiving help. Authors argue for routinely including substance-abuse screening as a component of primary-care health…

Employment is an important rehabilitative tool to stabilize individuals diagnosed with both mental illness and substance abuse. Counselors should assess their level of treatment/rehabilitation, severity of substance abuse, locus of control, and characteristics of the work environment. (SK)

Summarizes the national standards for addictions counseling of four different professional groups or boards. The new addictions specialty certification standards that are being developed jointly by the National Board for Certified Counselors and the International Associations of Addictions and Offender Counselors are compared with the standards of…

Reviews state regulations responsible for determining the minimum qualifications for counselors, clinical supervisors, or client assessors in the substance abuse treatment field. Few of the 34 states surveyed required treatment outcome studies or referenced licensed professional counselors. Discusses implications new counselors may face when their…

Delineates how a self-efficacy approach can be adapted to provide time-limited or brief therapy substance abuse counseling. States that the structure of self-efficacy theory promotes development of valid, reliable, and objective techniques that counselors can use to assess and document counseling outcomes. (Author/JDM)