Child or adolescent does not use any drugs or alcohol.

• Family history of alcohol or drug abuse
• Early onset of conduct disorder or aggressive behavior
• History of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, school difficulties, mood and anxiety disorders
• History of poor supervision, trauma or abuse

Encourage and support continued abstinence

Encourage activities that build on a child's or adolescent's strengths and self-esteem (e.g., sports, community activities, art and music classes, participation in faith-bases organizations).

Discuss with the child or adolescent what she would do if she were pressured to use drugs or alcohol.

Child or adolescent infrequently uses tobacco, alcohol or drugs.

Substances are usually obtained from, and used with, friends.

Although associated drug-related problems are uncommon, risks can be serious.

Stress the importance of not drinking or using drugs and driving, and of not riding with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs.

Develop "rescue plan" with the child or adolescent and parents. A rescue plan should specify that the child or adolescent will receive a ride home if her finds himself in an unsafe situation, including being intoxicated or high, and the commitment that discussion about the behavior will take place at a time when it can be rational.

Child or adolescent uses alcohol or drugs on an occasional but regular basis.

"Social drinking" in adolescents often involves significant binge drinking.

Child or adolescent has experienced adverse consequences associated with use.

Child or adolescent may have had problems with grades, detentions, or suspensions; parents or peers; motor vehicle crashes; injuries; or physical or sexual assaults.

Discuss concerns and options for change.

Consider an "Abstinence Challenge": "If you can agree to give up drugs/alcohol for a while, this will give us important information about your control over your use. If you can't do it, it probably means that your use has gotten to the point where you may need more professional help.

If the child or adolescent refuses an abstinence challenge, continue to follow up. For example, say, "You have heard what my concerns are. Will you at least give some thought to what I said and come back again to talk more?"

Develop "rescue plan" with the child or adolescent and parents. A rescue plan should specify that the child or adolescent will receive a ride home if her finds himself in an unsafe situation, including being intoxicated or high, and the commitment that discussion about the behavior will take place at a time when it can be rational

Child or Adolescent engages in ongoing use of drugs or alcohol, despite harm.

Loss of control over use.

• Outpatient Treatment. Includes community and school resources, 12-step groups, peer-support groups, ad individual counseling. May be used for children and adolescents who are motivated to change behaviors and are nor psychologically addicted to substances. May also be used as a transition from more intensive treatment settings. (Sixty percent of teens who attended weekly community support groups after discharge from inpatient or residential substance abuse treatment programs remained drug-free for the first year.)
• Partial or Day Hospital. May be considered for children and adolescents who need more intensive structure and support in order to break to cycle of substance use but are motivated for treatment and are not psychologically dependant. Also used as a transition from more intensive treatments.
• Residential Treatment. Should be considered for children and adolescents who are unlikely to be able to stop drug or alcohol us if they remain in their home environment, including children or adolescents who maybe at risk for withdrawal or those with a history or treatment failures in less restrictive settings.
• Inpatient Treatment. For children and adolescents who are at significant risk for withdrawal symptoms, who have serious psychiatric disorders or symptoms suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, or acutely dangerous behaviors), or who have failed in other treatment settings.

Child or adolescent is preoccupied with use.

Development of tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.

Increase in risk-taking and dangerous drug-related behaviors.

The goal of substance use treatment is abstinence, as control over use is almost impossible to reestablish once lost.

Relapse is part of the early process of recovery. Avoid stigmatizing or abandoning the child or adolescent if it occurs.

Relapse can be viewed as a learning opportunity; the level of supports and treatments can be reviewed and increased as indicated.