Adolescent substance abuse: A simplified approach to drug testing

Treatment of adolescent substance abusers is difficult. Treatment programs at multiple levels, from inpatient facilities to outpatient support groups, usually are available. Some of the most encouraging results have come from programs that involve family therapy in addition to individual treatment. Knowing what resources are available, as well as the referral processes based on a particular patient's healthcare plans, facilitates access and makes dealing with these issues in a busy outpatient setting much easier. Frequent follow-up with an adolescent after a treatment program has been initiated to monitor for compliance and relapse can ensure a better drug-free outcome. Knowing the extent of the adolescent drug abuse problem should encourage providers to incorporate some type of screening into their routine care of adolescents. None of these methods is 100% sensitive, and incorporating each component into the process where appropriate likely is the best approach. Knowing risk and protective factors for drug use is helpful for both recognition of candidates for screening and counseling of parents regarding drug use prevention.