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Alcohol Use Disorders in Adolescents

Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Psychosocial Interventions, and Pharmacological Treatment

  • Therapy In Practice
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Abstract

Alcohol (ethanol) abuse and dependence are the most common substance use disorders among adolescents. Binge drinking occurs in up to one-third of adolescents, and alcohol use disorders occur in about 6% of this age group. Adolescents with alcohol use disorders also typically have problems with other substances and comorbid mental disorders. Validated measures are available for the clinical detection and diagnosis of adolescent alcohol use disorders and related problems. Psychosocial interventions promoting abstinence are the most common treatments for alcohol use disorders, with empirical support particularly strong for family-based approaches. Pharmacological interventions may diminish the effects of alcohol withdrawal, prevent a return to alcohol consumption, or treat comorbid mental disorders. In this population, pharmacological interventions require further investigation and, where indicated, are generally considered to be supplementary to psychosocial approaches.

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Acknowledgements

The preparation of this manuscript was supported by grants from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (K02AA000291, K24AA00301, R01AA13370), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA14635, R01DA12845).

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  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Duncan B. Clark, Oscar Bukstein & Jack Cornelius

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  1. Duncan B. Clark
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Correspondence to Duncan B. Clark.

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Clark, D.B., Bukstein, O. & Cornelius, J. Alcohol Use Disorders in Adolescents. Pediatr-Drugs 4, 493–502 (2002). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128072-200204080-00002

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