Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes for Adolescents With Violent Behaviors

• NCJ Number: 230091
• Journal: Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2010 Pages: 44-62
• Author(s): Bushra Sabri, LMSW, ACSW; Julie K. Williams, Ph.D.; Douglas C. Smith, Ph.D.; Mijin Jang, M.S.; James A. Hall, Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2010
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): CSAT TI13354
• Sponsoring Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether substance-abusing adolescents with co-occurring violent behaviors showed reduction in these behaviors after exposure to outpatient drug treatment.

Abstract

Using a longitudinal research design, adolescents were classified based on three levels of the violence reported at intake and were assessed at 3 and 6 months following intake. The high-violence group showed significant reductions in the frequency of substance use, substance-related problems, and violence over time. The study shows that participation in outpatient substance abuse treatment may be associated with improved outcomes for adolescents with co-occurring substance abuse and violent behaviors. Tables, figures, and references (Published Abstract)