Citation

Mirza KAH, Mirza S. Psychiatry 2008; 7(8): 357-362.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Medicine Publishing Company Ltd.)

DOI

10.1016/j.mppsy.2008.05.011

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Substance misuse is common in adolescence. Young people with substance misuse have comorbid mental health problems and multiple psychosocial difficulties, including family conflict, interpersonal difficulties, academic failure, and offending behaviour. Adult definitions of substance misuse are often inadequate and restrictive. Developmental and systemic perspectives are essential in the assessment and treatment of young people with drug- and alcohol-related problems. There is a robust body of evidence, mainly from the USA, to indicate that integrated multimodal treatment programmes produce significant improvement across a number of domains. Clinical experience suggests that practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds could offer safe and effective treatment. Clinicians working in child and adolescent mental health services and paediatrics have a key role to play in the assessment and treatment of young people with substance misuse and comorbid mental health problems. Early identification and treatment could alter the developmental trajectory of young people at high risk of developing substance misuse and prevent potentially serious complications. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; suicide; alcohol; prognosis; adolescence; substance misuse; cannabis; drugs; major depression; young people; treatment outcome; comorbidity; drug abuse; amphetamine; cocaine; conduct disorder; risk factor; review; substance abuse; alcohol abuse; bulimia; mental disease; mental health care; tobacco; early diagnosis; psychologic assessment; high risk population; priority journal; behavior therapy; cognitive therapy; opiate; anxiety disorder; cannabis addiction; drug dependence; psychiatric diagnosis; family therapy; 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine; attention deficit disorder; adolescent disease; solvent; psychedelic agent; cocaine dependence; diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders; tobacco dependence; hyperactivity; evidence based practice; amyl nitrite; international classification of diseases; glue