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Separate Program More Effective for Drug-abusing
Adolescents. A study directed by Dr Christine E. Grella of the University of California at Los Angeles indicated that adolescents do better in programs designed especially for adolescents than they do when they join adult groups. Their problems tend to be very different from adult problems. Those who used marijuana or alcohol had a greater tendency to improve than those who used hallucinogenic drugs or cocaine. The article in the Archives of General Psychiatry (July, 2001, issue) reported that 76% of the 1,100 adolescents were engaged in criminal behavior during the year before treatment, and only 53% were engaged in such activity after treatment. Other statistics--the number who were depressed, or abused alcohol or marijuana, showed similar improvements. Although the number of programs for adolescents is far too few, those who can find such programs apparently should enter them in preference to joining adult groups. Paxil for Adolescent Depression? A Brown University study published in the July
issue of the Journal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry provides evidence that paroxetine (brand name "Paxil")
may be effective for the treatment of major depression in
adolescents. Paxil was significantly better than placebo, but
imipramine was not. However, the response rate for Paxil was only
63%, and 46% of the study participants improved on placebo, with
imipramine scoring in the middle at 50%. The adverse side effects of
Paxil were less serious than those of imipramine, a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). No SSRIs have been shown to be
effective for the treatment of adolescent depression, and no drug,
including Paxil, has yet been approved by the Food and Drug
Administration for use by adolescents. However, the study leader,
Dr. Martin B. Keller, believes that the study gives the first
indication of a safe and effective medication for major depression
in teens. Last updated 12/19/03 |
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