POLYSUBSTANCE ABUSE - A CASE-STUDY

This article presents the case history of a 23-year-old white male's r ecovery from 12 years of alcohol and other substance abuse. The peer p ressures that led to the experimental use of marijuana at age 11 and t he evolving social relations that contributed to chronic substance use are described. Included are details about the subject's family life, peer relationships, criminal involvement, and transition from alcohol and marijuana use to chronic amphetamine addiction. Experiences with d rug burn-out and the, eventual rehabilitation and recovery process tha t led to a lifestyle that is currently free of drugs. The case is disc ussed in the context of current theoretical and empirical research in adolescent drug abuse.