Do Adolescents Really "CARES?"

Recreational drugs have been largely correlated with negative repercussions and this is no secret to the United States population. Not many will be surprised when someone mentions that drugs have a large part in many bad relationships, violent acts, attempts of suicide, and jail time. However, for whatever reason the United States, among other countries, still see adolescence using and abusing these drugs. A study done by Pullman, suggests that we as a society are approaching those adolescence, with problematic substance abuse, in a behavioral way. He believe it is a ecological method that should be pursued.

Findings show that outpatient therapy is 71 – 86% more likely to be successful if they involve the families of the teenager in therapy. The main question Pullman seeks to find what process has to carried out in order for the adolescent to make positive steps after their “rock bottom”? What makes some go back into these bad habits and others never abuse a substance again. They believe it is a balance of peer, family relationships, and decision-making. A positive eclectic version of these three aspects will, in theory, be the difference in-between an adolescent saying “yes” to drugs or “no,” (Pullman et al., 2013, p.350). 

They measured each patient on what they now refer to as “CARES,” which stands for conduct, attitude, relationship, empowerment, and social context. They saw a positive correlation in-between an adolescent “good behavior,” when they were showing healthy amounts of “CARES.” In order to see these results the patient had to have emotional investments. Meaning that they had to see a reason for improvement. They have to have a positive attitude toward therapy and their therapist but also a positive outlook on themselves. Positive relationships need to be seen between peers, families, and therapist with the adolescent. Self-determination is the catch all for the other aspects that need to be observed in the adolescent. Self-determination suggests that the teenager needs a good social status. Also the teenager need families to adjust, sometimes as much as the adolescent themselves. These are all the elements found in their research project to create a formula that deems fit to bring an adolescent out of the stocks of drug addictions and substance abuse (2013).

The limitation seen in this study is their test subject. These findings cannot be generalized without the knowledge of the theories effect on other countries. Also was the study done on 13 year old all the way up to 19 year old? Were the age groups treated the same?

Abstract

Pullman, M. D., Ague, S., Johnson, T., Lane, S., Beaver, K., Jetton,        E., & Rund, E. (18 Sep. 2013). Defining Engagement in Adolescent      Substance Abuse Treatment. American Journal of Community
   Psychology (52:347–358). Retrieved from 10.1007/s10464-013-      
   9600-8