Randomized Clinical Trial of Motivational Enhancement of Substance Use Treatment Among Incarcerated Adolescents: Post-Release Condom Non-Use

Evaluated impact of motivational enhancement (ME) of substance abuse treatment compared to relaxation training (RT) on sex without condoms (overall and involving substance use) 3 months following release among incarcerated adolescents. This randomized clinical trial involved 114 incarcerated adolescents from the Northeast. Regression analyses determined if treatment condition, baseline levels of depressive symptoms, and their interaction predicted condom non-use 3 months post-release, controlling for baseline condom non-use. Among those who reported fewer baseline depressive symptoms, those in ME condition reported significantly less condom non-use, in general and involving marijuana use compared with those in RT condition. Periods of incarceration represent opportunities to help juvenile detainees reduce behaviors that impact their health and the health of those with whom they interact in the community

Alcohol Misure in Adolescents: Individual Differences, Prevention, Identification and Intervention

This chapter examines the prevalence of adolescent alcohol use, and associated morbidity, mortality, and financial costs. It also describes the course and prognosis of alcohol use among adolescents, genetic and psychosocial risk, protective factors, and assessment, prevention and treatment strategies. Large numbers of adolescents are drinking, resulting in untoward consequences for adolescents, their families and communities, and considerable economic burden for society. Consequently, healthcare providers, researchers, and government health agencies now recognize adolescent alcohol misuse as a significant public health problem. Adolescent alcohol misuse remains a salient public health issue in the United States. Alcohol use has an enormous impact on the physical and mental health of the nation\u27s youth. In 2002, nearly 60% of adolescents 14 years old or younger reported having used alcohol, with 6% reporting use on 100 or more different occasions. This number increases linearly with age with 66% of 15-year-olds, 68% of 16 year olds, 75% of 17-year-olds, and 73% of those 18 years and several reporting a regular use of alcohol

Effects of motivational interviewing for incarcerated adolescents on driving under the influence after release

Motivational Interviewing (MI) to reduce alcohol and marijuana-related driving events among incarcerated adolescents was evaluated. Adolescents were randomly assigned to receive MI or Relaxation Training. Follow-up assessment showed that, as compared to RT, adolescents who received MI had lower rates of drinking and driving, and being a passenger in a car with someone who had been drinking. Effects were moderated by levels of depression. At low levels of depression, MI evidenced lower rates of these behaviors; at high levels of depression, effects for MI and RT were equivalent. Similar patterns were found for marijuana-related risky driving, but effects were non-significant. Copyright © American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry