Adolescent Substance Use and Occupational Therapy Interventions: A Rapid Systematic Review

Abstract

This rapid systematic review analyzes the evidence for substance use reduction through therapeutic interventions and activities in adolescents between the ages of 13-25, along with the potential for implementation in the field of occupational therapy. Adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) often have specific challenges regarding their family interactions, cultural beliefs, school engagement, and community support. It can be difficult for adolescents with SUDs to successfully navigate their ever changing lives, as they may also present with comorbid psychiatric conditions. It is noted that throughout this review, many interventions were the first of their kind and focused on targeting adolescents within the contexts of their environment. Many studies utilized specific techniques aimed at improving adolescents’ intrinsic beliefs regarding their substance use. Overall, low to moderate evidence was found for the effectiveness of various interventions to reduce adolescent substance use. More exhaustive research is needed to evaluate the usefulness of these interventions, as many were done in very specific settings with very individualized populations. Moreover, occupational therapists should be cautious before implementation into practice, as none of the studies evaluated explicitly examined the role of occupational therapy. More investigation is required to determine how these interventions can be applied to the field of occupational therapy.