A study of 177 adolescents who underwent substance abuse treatment indicates that "aftercare" treatment is important to its success.

Researchers from the University of Connecticut assigned some of the teens to three months of aftercare that involved sessions with therapists. The control group had no aftercare.

At the end of the three-month study, those who had aftercare therapy had fewer suicidal ideations and were more likely to use none or lower amounts of alcohol or marijuana compared to those in the control group.

Psychiatry professor Yifrah Kaminer, who conducted the research, said, "Aftercare can help prevent relapse and chronic disease."

This study appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

For older teens and young adults, NorthStar Center offers a great aftercare program that combines addiction therapy and an academic program. Visit www.northstarcenter.com for more details.

Labels: aftercare, psychiatry, therapy