2005

The nature of adolescent development poses unique issues for counselors when providing substance abuse services to this client population. Some of these issues are rapid growth of the brain and body during adolescent years, emotional and social influences on adolescent behavior, impact on normal development due to substance abuse, identity and self-esteem development, and family dynamics. In addition, today’s adolescents are living in a culture in which they are exposed to more information about drugs and easier access to drugs, such as the Internet. National surveys continue to show that the majority of adolescents believe that their use of alcohol and drugs is normal (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1999). These factors increase the challenge for counselors when trying to intervene either through prevention or treatment.