Many adolescents entering substance abuse treatment do not stay for the full course of prescribed treatment. There have been few explorations into what facilitates the ongoing participation of adolescents while in treatment. This paper describes adolescent, parent, and treatment staff perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to retention and participation. Interviews were conducted with 87 adolescents, parents, and staff from three residential substance abuse treatment agencies in two states. Data were coded thematically and organized into themes by respondent type. Respondents reported barriers related to treatment population, program design, and communication and relationships, and reported facilitators related only to communication and relationships. Staff reported far more barriers than facilitators in comparison to either adolescents or parents. Findings suggest that parents and staff underestimate their contributions to the treatment process and practitioners might benefit from rethinking how to communicate the value of these stakeholders.
Objectives
The study evaluated responses from adolescents in substance abuse treatment, their parents, and treatment staff to the question of what constitutes treatment success.
Methods
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 adolescents, 30 parents, and 29 staff at three residential substance abuse treatment programs in two states. Data were coded and organized into themes by respondent type.
Results
Respondents reported knowing when treatment was no longer needed based on changes in adolescents’ substance use, treatment-related and other behaviors, and attitudes and character. A fourth category of responses indicated respondents’ ambiguity regarding successful completion of substance abuse treatment. Little concurrence was found among adolescents, parents, and treatment center staff to indicate criteria suggesting that discharge is appropriate.
Conclusions
Substance abuse treatment programs and their clients may benefit from ensuring that staff, parents, and adolescents are aware of treatment goals to promote more effective treatment and improve collaboration toward the adolescent’s recovery.
Objectives
The study evaluated responses from adolescents in substance abuse treatment, their parents, and treatment staff to the question of what constitutes treatment success.
Methods
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 adolescents, 30 parents, and 29 staff at three residential substance abuse treatment programs in two states. Data were coded and organized into themes by respondent type.
Results
Respondents reported knowing when treatment was no longer needed based on changes in adolescents’ substance use, treatment-related and other behaviors, and attitudes and character. A fourth category of responses indicated respondents’ ambiguity regarding successful completion of substance abuse treatment. Little concurrence was found among adolescents, parents, and treatment center staff to indicate criteria suggesting that discharge is appropriate.
Conclusions
Substance abuse treatment programs and their clients may benefit from ensuring that staff, parents, and adolescents are aware of treatment goals to promote more effective treatment and improve collaboration toward the adolescent’s recovery.
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