This document discusses assessing adolescent substance abuse. It provides information on collecting information from adolescents, parents, and schools. Assessment involves formal diagnosis, determining severity, treatment planning, and establishing a baseline. A detailed evaluation examines the impact and reasons for drug use. Risk factors for adolescent substance abuse include stressful events, dysfunctional families, depression, conduct disorder, and anxiety. Developmental tasks can conflict with substance abuse as adolescents seek independence. Assessment challenges include differentiating issues and low motivation to quit. The document emphasizes understanding why adolescent life lacks reinforcement leading to drug use.

1. Assessing AdolescentSubstance AbusePresented by:Mark Myers LCSW, CADCMyers Counseling Group300 Memorial drive, suite 200Crystal lake, Il 60014(815)308-3368markm@myerscounseling.comwww.myerscounseling.com@myersgroup

2. Information Adolescent presentsInformation that is observable(paraphernalia found, urinalysis, drop in grades)Information Parents provideAssessing extent of problemMyers Counseling GroupInformation school provides

3. Assessment is not a one stop processAssessment comprises four important tasks: 1. to aid in the formal diagnosis of the patient's substance abuse problem 2. to establish the severity of the Substance Abuse 3. to guide treatment planning; and 4. to define a baseline of the patient's status, to which his or her future conditions can be compared Myers Counseling Group

4. BaselineEstablish understanding of seriousness of evaluation

5. Allows therapist to step out of role as one defining problem

6. Adolescent and behavior have control over outcome

7. Offers more clarity for all parties involvedMyers Counseling Group

8. Reasons for Detailed Evaluation (Functional Analysis)Important to understand impact of desired effect in use of drug for Functional Analysis.Different effects most likely mean different reason for use. Myers Counseling Group

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11. Why Adolescents Take Drugs?EXPANDED AWARENESS/INSIGHTSOME ADOLESCENTS BELIEVED THAT THEY COULD ACHIEVE GREATER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT DRUG EFFECT MOTIVE A DESIRE TO PRODUCE A HIGH, A MELLOWNESS, AN EASE WITH FRIENDS, AND A FEELIN G OF GREATER CREATIVITY. DIFFERENT DRUGS PRODUCE DIFFERENT EFFECTS. INCREASE ACTIVITY GOAL IS OBTAIN NEW AND EXCITING EXPERIENCES TO SATISFY CURIOSITY AND FOR THE HIGH THE DRUG CAN BRING. Myers Counseling Group

12. Risk Factors for Adolescent Substance Abuse Stressful or traumatic life events increase adolescents' risk for developing use problems (Kilpatrick, 2000)

13. Dysfunctional family

14. Depression: Wagner and colleagues (1996) found that depression and AOD use commonly coexisted among juniors and seniors in high school who attempted suicide. Myers Counseling Group Conduct Disorder: Predicts Early initiation of alcohol use (Clark and colleagues)

15. Anxiety Disorders: Most common coexisting with AOD abuse(Nesmith and colleagues (1998) Adolescent Development Tasks. Increase in internal conflict. Independence being sought . Peer group takes precedence over other relationships (safety in numbers). Preoccupation of who he/she is (less concern with others). Now oriented (difficulty planning/dealing with future). Opposite sex. Testing authority/rebellion. Reject what is parent's.. Low self esteem/confidence. Learning to negotiate adult world. Misdirection (see behavior but what may be underneath could be other emotions)Myers Counseling Group

16. Conflicts:Adolescent Developmental Tasks VersesSubstance AbuseMyers Counseling Group

17. Addressing Issues After Cessation Of Drug UseCoping skills impactedAddicts stop growing developmentally when addiction sets up. Developmental lags.Hampers individuation, self determination. Difficult to achieve independence.Difficult to understand concept of understanding and making choices when substances are “making choices” for you.Myers Counseling GroupImpact on self confidence.Uncertain social status if identified as substance abuserUnderstanding and internalizing of values of adult society Difficulties in moving from “I” self centered to negotiating world outside.