NIDA Presents Resource for Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment

In January, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) released an extensive set of resources for parents, health care providers, and substance abuse treatment specialists to help them better identify, treat, monitor, and interact with substance-abusing teens.

Adolescents’ drug use and treatment needs are different from adults. According to NIDA, “teens abuse different substances, experience different consequences, and are less likely to seek treatment on their own because they may not want or think they need help” (2014). Furthermore, the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that only 10 percent of twelve- to seventeen-year-olds who need substance abuse treatment receive it.

In order to better help professionals and parents dealing with substance-abusing adolescents, NIDA created a guide titled “Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Research-Based Guide,” which provides information on various treatment approaches. The guide can be accessed here.

In addition, NIDA also created an educational module titled “Substance Use Disorders in Adolescents: Screening and Engagement in Primary Care Settings.” This resource is specifically for medical students and physicians so they might better screen adolescents for existing substance abuse issues. This module can be accessed here.

According to NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow, “these new resources are based on recent research that has greatly advanced our understanding of the unique treatment needs of the adolescent” (NIDA, 2014).

References

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2014). New substance abuse treatment resources focus on teens. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2014/01/new-substance-abuse-treatment-resources-focus-teens

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