An approach to adolescent drug use.
BACKGROUND
Substance abuse is one of the most challenging and emotionally charged areas of general practice as it is in society at large. When this is combined with some of the difficulties in engaging the adolescent patient, it is not uncommon for the general practitioner to feel overwhelmed and unsure about how to approach the issue.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses strategies for GPs in managing adolescent patients with substance abuse, including referral services and opportunities for collaboration and a team approach.


CONCLUSIONS
While there are good reasons to be concerned about substance abuse among adolescents and uncertainty about where to turn for specialised help, there is much the GP can do alone, and in collaboration with other services, to care for the adolescent with a substance use issue.
Kang
Melissa
M
NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health, Department of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales. MelissaK@chw.edu.au
D000293:Adolescent; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*