Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment (Adult)
Definition for Substance Abuse Treatment (Adult):
Substance Abuse Treatment (Adult) is defined by the CEBC as the treatment of adults with a diagnosed substance use disorder, or substance use problems, addiction, dependence, or abuse. Treatment can occur in a variety of settings, including outpatient, day treatment, residential, or inpatient, and may involve detoxification, counseling, education, relapse prevention training, life skills training, and self-help groups. National data shows that approximately 8% of the population has used an illicit drug in the past month, while 23% reported binge drinking and 7% reported heavy drinking in the past month. One of the primary signs of substance abuse is the continued use of drugs or alcohol despite experiencing the serious negative consequences of heavy drug or alcohol use, such as being fired from a job or arrested. Substance use appears to be even more common among families involved in child welfare, with a recent round of Children and Family Service Reviews showing that 16% to 48% of all child welfare cases include substance use disorders. Substance use may be going unrecognized by child welfare as, according to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW), 71% of caregivers who are alcohol dependent are classified by the child welfare workers as not having alcohol problems and 73% of caregivers who are drug dependent are classified by child welfare workers as not having a drug problem. The Pharmacological Treatment for Substance Abuse page has links to reputable organizations that list information on medications used to help treat substance abuse.
- Target population: Adults with a diagnosed substance use disorder, or substance use problems, addiction, dependence, or abuse
- Services/types that fit: Outpatient, day treatment, and residential services in individual or group formats
- Delivered by: Mental health professionals or trained paraprofessionals
- In order to be included: Program must specifically target adult substance use as a goal
- In order to be rated: There must be research evidence (as specified by the Scientific Rating Scale) that examines outcomes related to substance abuse, such changes in symptom levels, behaviors, and/or functioning
Programs in this Topic Area
The programs listed below have been reviewed by the CEBC and, if appropriate, been rated using the Scientific Rating Scale.
Topic Expert
Nancy Young, PhD, Executive Director, Children and Family Futures;
Director, National Center on Substance
Abuse and Child Welfare
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA