Counseling Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Updated 1st Edition

Course overview

Life transitions such as adolescence are key risk periods for substance abuse. Therefore, substance use assessment and intervention are particularly critical for adolescents. Substance abuse counseling of adolescents is different from that of adults given adolescents' different developmental stages and environments. In addition, the trends of adolescent substance abuse change according to the geographic region, cultural influences, and availability of substances. Participants will learn about evidence-based screening tools that are recommended for use with adolescents who may be using substances. The course presents a treatment plan development process that is commonly used in outpatient clinics. Counseling approaches must consider the physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of the adolescent. The course explains the continuum of care for substance-abusing youth, including prevention, outreach, therapeutic communities, and halfway houses. This basic-level course is intended for social workers, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and advanced practice and psychiatric nurses who work with youth populations.