Interventions for alcohol use and alcohol use disorders in youth

Abstract

Designing effective interventions for adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) presents several challenges, not the least of which is the accurate diagnosis of these disorders. Diagnostic criteria for AUDs have been derived largely from clinical and research experience with adults. When these criteria were tested among adolescents, numerous developmental differences were found that may affect the applicability of AUD criteria to this age group. Despite the absence of clear diagnostic criteria for use with adolescents, research has identified interventions that show promise for use with youth. This article examines both environmental- and individual-level approaches to underage drinking prevention, including school- and family-based programs, and macroenvironmental and multicomponent comprehensive interventions. Finally, it describes brief and complex treatment interventions.

Alcohol abuse and dependence: The unmet need for treatment in youth ages 12–17, in the past year. In 2002, only 16 percent of the 1.4 million youth ages 12 to 17 estimated to have alcohol use disorders (AUDs) reported receiving any type of service for these problems. SOURCE: Samhsa, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, calculated from 2002 raw data tables available on SAMHSA Web site, http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh.htm.