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Abstract
Success rates for chemically dependent patients have improved over the past forty years from an abysmal 4% (Lexington VA heroin program), to 20–35% for alcoholics in the 1970's (Emrick, 1975; Moos and Bliss, 1978 respectively), to 50% for drug abusers in the 1980's (O'Brien, 1984). The improvement of dually diagnosed patients has not been as clearly documented (Griffin‐Shelley, 1991). Research efforts in the 1990's will continue to focus more closely on special subpopulations such as dual diagnosed patients as well as more targeted treatments.
In this follow‐up study of adolescents, 22% were estimated to be chemical free and the sample reported improvement on 21 of 29 program goals. The number of completed questionnaires represented only 13% of the 100 subjects. Thirty‐five percent agreed to participate but never returned the survey. Forty‐eight percent could not be located. Improvement was reported in chemical dependency, coning skills, relations with parents, dealing with reality, avoiding addictive people, problem solving, self‐esteem and motivation among others. Results were less positive than for a similar study of dually diagnosed adults (Griffin‐Shelley, 1991). The low rate of abstinence may suggest that dually diagnosed adolescents need more treatment than is currently provided despite better staff rations and longer lengths of stay. Factors contributing to the adolescents' poorer showing may be developmental issues such as adolescent rebellion, length of illness (have not “hit bottom"), beliefs among adolescents about invulnerability and ease of recovery, lack of ego development and coping skills, poorer compliance with aftercare, lack of peers among support groups memberships, and more family problems.