Practitioner review: adolescent alcohol use disorders: assessment and treatment issues.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol use disorders in adolescents are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade, there has been a burgeoning of research on adolescent alcohol use disorders.


METHODS
A summary of the alcohol assessment tools is provided, and randomized studies reviewed and synthesized to provide an overview of state of the art knowledge of treatment of adolescent alcohol use disorders. Animal models of addiction are also briefly reviewed, and the value of translational research approaches, using findings from basic studies to guide the design of clinical investigations, is also highlighted.


RESULTS
Comorbidity is the rule, not the exception in adolescent alcohol use disorders. Comprehensive assessment of psychiatric and other substance use disorders, trauma experiences, and suicidality is indicated in this population to optimize selection of appropriate clinical interventions. In terms of available investigated treatments for adolescents with alcohol use disorders, Multidimensional Family Therapy and group administered Cognitive Behavioral Therapies have received the most empirical support to date. There is a paucity of research on pharmacological interventions in this patient population, and no firm treatment recommendations can be made in this area.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the high rate of relapse after treatment, evaluation of combined psychosocial and pharmacological interventions, and the development of novel intervention strategies are indicated.
Perepletchikova
Francheska
F
Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Research and Education (CARE) Program, Yale University, UniversityTowers-Suite 2H, 100 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. francheska.perepletchikova@yale.edu
Krystal
John H
JH
Kaufman
Joan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic