Treatment of Adolescent Alcohol-Related Problems

Abstract

(from the chapter) Adolescence is a period of remarkable change and challenge. Development during this period can be characterized by growth within four major domains of functioning: biological, socioemotional, cognitive and behavioral. Changes within and across these domains provide a framework from which the complex interactions of adolescent alcohol problems and normal development can be understood. Variations in functioning in these domains can lead to increased risk for drinking and alcohol problems, just as alcohol can modify the developmental trajectories of youth. Thus, multidimensional developmental adolescent alcohol use disorders are a consequence of an interactive system of pre-existing characteristics, maturational changes and the environment. In this chapter we seek to exemplify how a developmental perspective translates to adolescent alcohol treatment and outcome evaluation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).