An out-patient treatment programme for adolescent substance abusers

This treatment programme is based on the model of Developmental Habilitation being the essence of change for adolescent substance abusers. The practical operation of the programme involves: individual counselling; socialization group; recreational activities; group therapy; parent support group and family counselling. Where possible, it is based on experimental learning (whilst "straight"/"sober") due to the belief that such learning has been forsaken, resulting in a developmental deficit. Therefore, expectations of clients' progress and achievements need to be realistic and related to functional age rather than chronological age. According to clients who have achieved the goal of "living the lifestyle they choose, without the need to use substances" the three most helpful provisions of the programme were: stability; consistency; and realism.