Adolescent Treatment: Advancing as a Specialty

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A new endorsement from NAADAC builds momentum for clinical standards

In 2004, 19.1 million Americans, or 7.9% of the population 12 or older, were current illicit drug users.1 The report from which these numbers are derived goes on to suggest that 21.1 million people who needed treatment for their drug use did not receive treatment. These statistics have been consistent since about 2002 and have led some researchers to suggest that roughly 10% of the adolescent population could transition from experimental use of substances to more frequent use or abuse, or both.2,3

In response to the data, there has been a growing call for more research around adolescent substance use. …