Rationale for Diagnosis and Treatment

The first fundamental element of an effective treatment program for adolescent substance abusers is a sound rationale for diagnosis and treatment. Nay and Ross (1993, pp.317) explain: "Efficacious assessment tools and intervention schemes emerge only from a sound conceptual framework...from a sound conceptualization of the variables that instigate and maintain drug use...a conceptual model for better understanding the phenomenon of adolescent substance abuse and, more importantly with a sound framework for intervention." Thus, only from a sound rationale can assessment strategies and clearly defined treatment goals and objectives be formulated.