Theory Development in a Family-Based Therapy for Adolescent Drug Abuse

Abstract

Family-based treatments for adolescent drug abuse and related behavior problems have been developed and evaluated with success. Empirical support exists for the efficacy of family-based treatments, and process studies have begun to identify mechanisms by which these treatments may achieve their effects. This article discusses theory and related clinical refinements in a contemporary family-based intervention, multidimensional family therapy. Expansions in the theoretical basis of the model are discussed. I highlight 2 aspects of the theory evolution process, resulting in a sharper clinical focus on intrapersonal development and on adolescents' and families' functioning vis-à-vis influential extrafamilial ecologies of development.

Implementing Family-Centered Interventions Within the Public Middle School: Linking Service Delivery to Change in Student Problem Behavior

“…During the middle-school years, antisocial behavior and substance use begin to emerge in the context of the deviant peer group (Dishion & Owen, 2002;Dishion, Poulin, & Medici-Skaggs, 2000). Family services in the school that target these problem behaviors are critical for reducing subsequent delinquency and drug use in adolescence (Dishion, Reid, & Patterson, 1988;Henggeler, Schoenwald, Borduin, Rowland, & Cunningham, 1998;Liddle, 1999;Schmidt et al, 1996;Szapocznik & Kurtines, 1989). One concern is the extent to which such services are cost-effective, realistic, and amenable for integration within the school system.…”

A implicação da família no uso abusivo de drogas: uma revisão crítica

“…Os indivíduos são considera dos organismos biopsicossociais bem como membros de outros sistemas como família, trabalho, grupos de amizade, comunidade, grupos étnicos. Seria um pensamento ou uma intervenção reducionista se somente uma dessas perspectivas fosse utilizada em detrimento das outras (Liddle, 1999).…”

Public Health Measures to Combat the Menace of Drug Abuse

“…Multiple measures such as identifying the socio-cultural and psychological determinants that may determine the use of illicit drugs [24,39]; creating awareness about drug abuse and their adverse consequences through aid of appropriate mass media tools [6,38]; delivering customized information suitable to the target audience in a culturally sensitive manner [40]; developing family prevention programs in the form of multi-dimensional family therapy and individual cognitive behavioral therapy [41,42]; enabling community to address the issues of substance abuse through training programs [43]; promoting free education and implementing innovative strategies to minimize the rates of school drop-outs [40,44]; inculcating self-confidence in school students [16]; employing nurses in schools to safeguard the students [45]; facilitating community and school prevention campaigns [17]; advocating timely and complete management of drug abuse victims [46]; sensitizing clinicians to identify patients at risk for nonprescription drug abuse [21]; strengthening preclinical assessment to predict substance abuse liability [47]; encouraging exercises as a potential treatment for drug abuse [48]; developing a standardized strategy to monitor response to treatment [48]; building mechanisms for tracking and monitoring prescription drug abuse [38]; improving data collection on drug overdose fatalities [6,38]; capacity building for the tools and methods desired for toxicological screening [49]; involving all stakeholders including the pharmacists to work together as a team [7,50]; fostering linkages between local, national and international agencies in the field of development, organization, monitoring and evaluation of treatment and other services [7]; formulating strategies in collaboration with international agencies to monitor the sale of over-the-counter drugs and through internet [22]; and enforcing stricter penalties for individuals who are involved in trade of illicit drugs [1,6]; have been proposed to assist families, health professionals, schools and ot...…”