| An exploratory study was conducted to examine the relationship between environmental variables and treatment outcome in adolescent substance abuse treatment. Environmental variables were defined as living, vocational, and social environmental risk, general and spiritual social support, and victimization. Treatment outcome was operationally defined as substance use, as measured by the Substance Frequency Scale. Each of these variables was measured with indices of the same names that are part of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN). Participants in this study were adolescents (N = 230) in the LANSAT program, and environmental variables and substance use were assessed at initial contact and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Data analysis showed significant correlations between substance use and social and vocational environmental risk, and general environmental risk across time. Regression analyses showed environmental variables to be predictors of substance use at the 12-month follow-up, when general social support, social, living, and vocational risk, and general environmental risk significantly predicted substance use. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant reduction in substance use across time. Analyses examining differences between each data collection showed a significant difference between substance use at initial assessment and 3-month follow-up; however, there were no significant differences between the other follow-up points. Results support targeting environmental factors in adolescent substance abuse treatment as a way to improve treatment outcome. |
