title: At war in the fields of play: current perspectives on the nature and treatment of adolescent chemical dependency.
abstract: While the numbers of adolescents entering drug abuse treatment are not increasing dramatically, those entering treatment are getting sicker, according to clinical reports. Adolescents are entering treatment with multiple problems, including severe learning disorders, borderline personality disorders, multiple diagnoses of addiction, mental health and physical problems (including HIV/AIDS), and issues arising from child abuse and incest. A case study in client-therapist interaction is presented, highlighting the concept of the wounded healer. The disease model of addiction is discussed as it applies to adolescents, as is their need for habilitation, not rehabilitation. Current abuse trends and the drugs involved are also discussed. Multiple diagnoses, physiologic disorders, HIV testing and counseling, surgical problems, and maternal/neonatal complications are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Programs, Talbott-Marsh Recovery Campus, Atlanta.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Wilford
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Seymour
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States