The Seven Challenges®
Problems addressed
Drug abuse
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Community (streets or community centers)
Ambulatory - Health service centers
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a therapeutic support program for adolescents with problematic drug abuse. The goal is to motivate positive decisions and commitment to desired changes through seven components:
1) Deciding to open up and talk honestly about oneself and alcohol and other drugs;
2) Understanding what they like about alcohol and other drugs, and why they use them;
3) Examining the intensity and history of alcohol or other substance use with an emphasis on potential harm or future consequences;
4) Examining individual responsibility and the responsibility of others for the problems encountered;
5) Thinking about one’s own life goals and how to achieve them;
6) Making thoughtful decisions about one’s own life and about the use of alcohol and illicit drugs;
7) Sustaining new life decisions.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies showed that, three and six months after the start of the intervention, the program produced a reduction in the likelihood of continued substance use and associated problems, but without a statistically significant impact [1] [2] [3].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Smith, D. C., Hall, J. A., Williams, J. K., An, H. & Gotman, N. (2006). Comparative efficacy of family and group treatment for adolescent substance abuse. The American Journal on Addictions, 15(Suppl 1), 131–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550490601006253

[2] Stevens, S. J., Schwebel, R. & Ruiz, B. (2007). The Seven Challenges: An Effective Treatment for Adolescents with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Problems. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 7(3), 29–49. https://doi.org/10.1300/J160v07n03_03

[3] Korchmaros, J. D. & Stevens, S. J. (2014). Examination of the Role of Therapeutic Alliance, Treatment Dose, and Treatment Completion in the Effectiveness of The Seven Challenges. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-013-0307-3

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