The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44108

Mark D. Godley, PhD, Susan H. Godley, RhD, and Michael Dennis, PhD. Chestnut Health Systems, 720 W. Chestnut St., Bloomington, IL 61701, 309-827-6026, mgodley@chestnut.org

In many treatment systems adolescents referred to residential treatment have the most serious alcohol or other substance use disorders and are at high risk of relapse. Upon discharge, these adolescents are typically referred to continuing care services; however, linkage to these services is often problematic. In this five year NIAAA-funded study, 183 adolescents (76% male) who stayed at least 7 days in residential treatment were randomly assigned to receive either usual continuing care (UCC) or UCC plus an assertive continuing care protocol (ACC) involving case management and the adolescent community reinforcement approach. ACC participants were significantly more likely to initiate (94% vs. 56%) and participate in continuing care services, to be abstinent from marijuana at 3 months post discharge, and to reduce their 3 month post-discharge days of alcohol use. Participants will learn: 1) the effectiveness of ACC after a 9 month follow-up; 2) a new nontraditional treatment retention strategy; and 3) the principles of the ACC protocol. The implications of this study for future research and practice will also be discussed..

Learning Objectives: Participants will learn

• the effectiveness of the Assertive Continuing Care(ACC)protocol after a 9 month follow-up;
• a new nontraditional treatment retention strategy; and
• the principles of the ACC protocol.

Keywords: Adolescents, Substance Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.