title: Interventions for reducing adolescent alcohol abuse: a meta-analytic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of substance abuse interventions for their ability to reduce adolescent alcohol use.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE; PsycINFO; ERIC; Wilson Social Science Abstracts; Criminal Justice Abstracts; Social Work Abstracts; Social Science Citation Index; Dissertations Abstracts International; National Criminal Justice Research Service; Social, Psychological, Criminological, Educational Trials Register; and the PsiTri databases from 1960 through 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 64 titles and abstracts identified, 16 studies and 26 outcomes constituted the sample. The researchers calculated Hedges g effect sizes and used a random-effects model to calculate adjusted pooled effect sizes. Heterogeneity was explored using stratified analyses. Main Exposure Completion of a substance abuse intervention that aimed to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abstinence, frequency of alcohol use, and quantity of alcohol use measured between 1 month and 1 year upon completion of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pooled effects of standardized mean differences indicate that interventions significantly reduce adolescent alcohol use (Hedges g = -0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.83 to -0.40). Stratified analyses revealed larger effects for individual treatment (Hedges g = -0.75; 95% CI, -1.05 to -0.40) compared with family-based treatments (Hedges g = -0.46; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatments for adolescent substance abuse appear to be effective in reducing alcohol use. Individual-only interventions had larger effect sizes than family-based interventions and effect sizes decreased as length of follow-up increased. Furthermore, behavior-oriented treatments demonstrated promise in attaining long-term effects.
authors.affiliation: College of Social Work, Florida State University, 296 Champions Way, University Center Bldg C, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. stripodi@fsu.edu
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tripodi
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: Christy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Litschge
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Vaughn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005196:Family Therapy; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome