Although alcoholism treatments for adolescents have not been as extensively
researched as alcoholism treatments for adults, there have been advances in
this arena during the past few years. The treatments for youth that have the
strongest scientific base to date are membership in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA),
group therapy based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and other
psychosocial-treatment approaches, Samuel Kuperman, M.D., said in an
interview. Kuperman is chair of child psychiatry at the University of Iowa and
an expert on alcoholism in youth.
Whether one of these treatments is more effective than another in youth is
largely unclear. However, Howard Liddle, Ed.D., a professor at the University
of Miami Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse, and
colleagues conducted a study to see how individual CBT compared with
multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) in helping youth reduce their alcohol
use. Both therapies were delivered in weekly, office-based sessions. Both
produced a significant, and comparable, reduction in alcohol use, Liddle and
his team reported in the October 2008 Addiction.
While medications to reduce alcohol intake have been found to be effective
in adults, they aren't used much in young people, Kuperman reported. One
reason why, he explained, is because youth who abuse alcohol may also be using
street drugs or abusing prescription medications; thus, if they were given
medication to reduce alcohol intake, it might cause deleterious drug
interactions.
One challenge in trying to help youth with alcohol problems, Kuperman
pointed out, is that they often also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or oppositional defiant disorder. So even
if they decrease their alcohol use, these disorders still need to be
addressed. If the ADHD is appropriately treated, it may well decrease the
alcohol intake, Kuperman added. Several studies have found that this is so, he
noted.
Trying to help youth with alcohol problems has its rewards, Kuperman said.
For example, a number of youth realize that they have an alcohol problem and
want help for it. Their families and teachers are grateful when they do
better. And since alcohol intoxication plays a major role in impulsive
suicides by youth, treating them for their alcohol problem may decrease their
risk of impulsive suicide as well.
To find appropriate treatment for a youth with alcohol problems, parents
can make an appointment with a child psychiatrist, contact their local AA
chapter, or ask their local high school for the names of clinicians who treat
youth for alcoholism, Kuperman advised. ▪