Reactions to a Concept for Physician Intervention in Adolescent Alcohol Use

Abstract

Purpose-This study was designed to understand adolescent and parental perceptions, receptivity, and reactions to the concept of screening and brief intervention that primary care physicians can use to reduce alcohol consumption by their non-alcohol dependent adolescent patients.Methods-A total of 6 nation-wide computer-assisted telephone focus groups were conducted; 3 with low-to-moderate risk for alcohol problems adolescents aged 15-17 years and 3 with parents of such adolescents.Findings-Parents and adolescents held similar views on the prevalence and harms of adolescent alcohol consumption, but different levels of concern about them. After initial surprise and needed dispelling of misconceptions, all groups expressed interest, support, and suggestions for the concept of a physician-initiated, office-based intervention to address younger adolescent alcohol use.Conclusions-Because both adolescents and parents of adolescents expressed interest in this type of intervention, physicians should be aware of this receptivity and consider focus group findings in how to structure development of a potential counseling-based intervention. Prior education about the target and nature of the intervention is necessary, lest adolescents and parents assume -incorrectly --that it is about doctors preaching to high risk adolescents to stop drinking.

Cigarette, marijuana, and alcohol use and prior drug treatment among newly homeless young adults in New York City: Relationship to a history of foster care

“…Research has shown that young adults are willing to talk about their cigarette, marijuana, and alcohol use and participate in interventions to reduce such use (e.g., Stern et al, 2007; Yoast, Fleming, and Balch, 2007; Baggett and Rigotti, 2009).…”

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment

“…51 All of these models have been modestly successful in showing reductions in substance use and related consequences and/ or risky behaviors, although 1 trial found similar substance use reductions in both experimental and control groups. 50 Physicianimplemented BI is acceptable to both teenagers 16 and clinicians. 52 Although a recent US Preventive Services Task Force 53 review found insufficient scientific basis to recommend any particular BI for addressing adolescent substance use, this clinical report reviews the current literature base to summarize expert opinion about practical BI strategies.…”

“…15 Adolescents consider physicians an authoritative source of knowledge about alcohol and drugs and are receptive to discussing substance use. 16 These findings underscore the tremendous opportunity for addressing substance use in primary care settings, the medical home, and other settings in which children and adolescents receive medical care and health advice.…”

Integrating Substance Use Treatment Into Adolescent Health Care

“…Adolescents and their families are receptive to screening and intervention in medical settings, and in fact perceive the quality of care to be higher when SU is addressed [47, 48]. This may be especially salient for ethnic groups or populations for whom these conditions are particularly stigmatized or who are less likely to seek specialty psychiatric or SU treatment [49].…”