PRINCIPLES OF BRIEF INTERVENTION FOR ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUG-USE

Early intervention within a primary health care setting for problems w ith alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use includes screening, assessmen t, and referral services and cognitive as well as behavior brief inter ventions. Health care providers should incorporate the principles of e ffective patient-provider communication and the concepts of behavior c hange strategies into their daily practices. Common principles of effe ctive brief interventions fdr the adolescent with alcohol, tobacco, an d other drug problems are discussed, followed by a specific review of the stages of a behavioral change model and the concepts of motivation al interviewing. A discussion of how to get started with brief interve ntions specifically for alcohol and tobacco use is included.