Understanding Alcoholism
Adolescent Treatment Interventions
Adolescent Treatment Interventions—Complex interventions have been developed and tested in adolescents referred for treatment of alcohol and other drug disorders. Many of these patients are likely to have more than one substance use disorder (e.g., alcohol and marijuana) and to have other psychiatric disorders as well (e.g., depression, anxiety, or conduct disorder). Brief interventions are, as a rule, delivered to adolescents in general medical settings (e.g., primary care clinics, emergency rooms) or in school-based settings. These settings offer an excellent opportunity for intervening with adolescents to address their drinking before they progress to serious alcohol use disorders and to prevent the development of alcohol-related problems
Interventions For Preventing Underage Drinking
Intervention approaches typically fall into two distinct categories: (1) environmental-level interventions, which seek to reduce opportunities for underage drinking, increase penalties for violating minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) and other alcohol use laws, and reduce community tolerance for alcohol use by youth; and (2) individual-level interventions, which seek to change knowledge, expectancies, attitudes, intentions, motivation, and skills so that youth are better able to resist the prodrinking influences and opportunities that surround them.
New Study Finds Rates of Underage Drinking Initiation Higher in Summer Months - Parents Need to Intervene Now, Before Drinking Begins
In an effort to encourage parents to talk to their children about underage alcohol consumption, as part of the Surgeon General’s “Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking,” the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Ad Council are strategically distributing new Underage Drinking Prevention PSAs at the end of the school year when kids are on summer break. New data released by SAMHSA shows that the highest occurrence of first-time alcohol use (13.1%) takes place during July. Also according to the same study 10 percent of children age 12 and 50 percent of children age 15 have consumed alcohol, and by the time young are graduating from high school at age 18, 75 percent have had their first drink.
Resources
Teen Savers
Teensavers has been solving adolescent problems for over twenty-five years. Offering treatment for substance abuse, problem behavior, or psychological issues.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Clearinghouse
A one-stop resource for information about substance abuse prevention and addiction treatment. The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Clearinghouse staffs both English- and Spanish-speaking information specialists who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your calls at 1-800-729-6686.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Prevention Global Network
A national online resource to assist adults and youths seeking help with alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention.
Alcoholics Anonymous
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD)
The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc. (NASADAD) is a private, not-for-profit educational, scientific, and informational organization. NASADAD's basic purpose is to foster and support the development of effective alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment programs throughout every State.
