Assessing covariates of drug use trajectories among adolescents admitted to a drug addiction center: mental health problems, therapeutic alliance, and treatment persistence

Subst Use Misuse. 2013 Jan;48(1-2):117-28. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2012.733903. Epub 2012 Nov 5.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess covariates of drug use trajectories among 102 adolescents admitted to a drug user treatment program between November 2005 and November 2006 in Québec, Canada. The influences of mental health, therapeutic alliance, and treatment persistence were examined. The Addiction Severity Index was used to measure drug use severity and mental health problems; the California Psychotherapy Alliance Scales was used for therapeutic alliance. latent growth curve analysis showed associations between (1) mental health and initial drug use severity; (2) therapeutic alliance and initial drug use severity; and (3) number of post-treatment sessions attended and drug use severity over time.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Canada
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Professional-Patient Relations*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotherapy
  • Quebec
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*