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Cited by 453Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsYouth, Drugs, and Violence

A comprehensive and comparative review of adolescent substance abuse treatment outcome

Open access
Williams, Robert J., Addiction Centre Adolescent Research Group, Chang, Samuel Y.·2000·Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
DOI 10.1093/clipsy.7.2.138
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Abstract

There are relatively few studies on adolescent substance abuse treatment. The ones that exist tend to be methodologically weak. Methodologically stronger studies have usually found most adolescents receiving treatment to have significant reductions in substance use and problems in other life areas in the year following treatment. Average rate of sustained abstinence after treatment is 38% (range 30-55) at 6 months and 32% at 12 months (range 14-47). Variables most consistently related to successful outcome are treatment completion, low pre-treatment substance use, and peer/parent social support/nonuse of substances. There is evidence that treatment is superior to no treatment, but insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of treatment types. The exception to this is that outpatient family therapy appears superior to other forms of outpatient treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1093/clipsy.7.2.138

Cites

141 of 141 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • There is insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of treatment types for adolescent substance abuse.

    “One review found relatively few studies on the adolescent substance abuse treatment and suggested that there is evidence that treatment is superior to no treatment but insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of treatment types [77].”

    From Interventions for Adolescent Substance Abuse: An Overview of Systematic Reviews (2016) · cites this paper as [77]

    The Abstract and Controlled Comparisons sections state that there is insufficient evidence to compare treatment types, as the citing sentence says. Both passages immediately qualify this: outpatient family therapy appears superior to other forms of outpatient treatment. The unqualified claim omits that exception. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • There is evidence that treatment for adolescent substance abuse is superior to no treatment.

    “One review found relatively few studies on the adolescent substance abuse treatment and suggested that there is evidence that treatment is superior to no treatment but insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of treatment types [77].”

    From Interventions for Adolescent Substance Abuse: An Overview of Systematic Reviews (2016) · cites this paper as [77]

  • Young people receiving treatment for substance use disorders frequently relapse, with average abstinence around 38% at six months and 32% at twelve months after treatment.

    “Adolescents and young adults who seek treatment are at high risk of relapse, with average abstinence rates estimated at 38% at 6 months and 32% at 12 months post-treatment (Williams and Chang, 2006).”

    From Influences of victimization and comorbid conditions on latency to illicit drug use among adolescents and young adults (2020) · cites this paper as Williams and Chang, 2006

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Barrett, M.E., Simpson, D.D. & Lehman, W.E.K. (1988). Behavioral changes of adolescents in drug abuse intervention programs. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44, 461-173.
  2. Filstead, W.J. (1992). Treatment outcome: an evaluation of adult and youth treatment services. In J.W. Langerbucher, B.S. McCrady, W. Frankenstein, P.E. Nathan (ed.) Annual Review of Addictions Research and Treatment, Vol 2, (pp 249-278). New York: Pergamon.
  3. Kaminer, Y., Burleson, J.A., Blitz, C., Sussman, J. & Rounsaville, B.J. (1998). Psychotherapies for adolescent substance abusers. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 186, 684-690.

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Authors
Williams, R. J., Addiction Centre Adolescent Research Group, & Chang, S. Y.
Affiliations
Foothills Medical Centre (CA)
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2000
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
138-166
ISSN
  • 0969-5893 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-2850
DOI
10.1093/clipsy.7.2.138
OpenAlex
W2023027612
Cited by
453
References
141
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 21
FWCI
8.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 5722 d)
Locations
  • Clinical Psychology Science and Practice (publishedVersion)
  • Open ULeth Scholarship (OPUS) (University of Lethbridge) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Youth, Drugs, and Violence
Keywords
adolescent substance abuse, addiction treatment, treatment outcomes, abstinence, treatment completion, treatment effectiveness comparison, substance use reduction

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