Interventions for reducing adolescent alcohol abuse: a meta-analytic review.
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.
Tripodi
Stephen J
SJ
College of Social Work, Florida State University, 296 Champions Way, University Center Bldg C, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. stripodi@fsu.edu
Bender
Kimberly
K
Litschge
Christy
C
Vaughn
Michael G
MG
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