ABSTRACT
The prevalence of substance use and abuse increases during late adolescence and peaks during the early twenties. Some level of experimentation and testing limits is normative, but substance use can also become problematic for physical and mental health. This chapter reviews the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The cultural context and social attitudes toward drug use are discussed (e.g., the “war on drugs”). The prevalence, clinical course, and etiological models of substance use disorders are discussed, and screening for substance use is recommended. We end the chapter by reviewing prevention and ecological family-based models for treatment of substance use disorders and recommendations for working with adolescents. The chapter includes a vignette, reflective questions, and supplemental resources to promote critical thinking and multicultural competence.
