Psychosocial Treatment for Substance Abuse in Adolecents

Psychosocial treatment for substance use disorders is a broad "umbrella" term that brings under its folds a diverse array of non-pharmacological interventions for effective and global management of drug abuse. The common thread underlying these interventions is that they do not involve prescribing medicines in any form. This does not mean, however, that psychosocial treatment has any conflict with pharmacological treatment. Quite on the contrary, it has been documented that each modality of treatment helps the other. Specifically, psychosocial interventions can enhance pharmacological treatment efficacy by increasing medication compliance, retention in treatment, and acquisition of skills that reinforce the effects of medications.