Discussion Questions
Chapter 12: Adolescent
1. This chapter reviewed the differences between normal and troubled adolescents. What
do you view as the primary differences between the two? How do the characteristics of
troubled teens contribute to their vulnerability to drug abuse and chemical
dependency?
2. From information you read regarding developmental process that adolescents go
through as they face puberty, what are some important considerations for counselors to
make regarding the differences between the ages 13 to 16, and 16 to 19?
3. As an adolescent chemical dependency counselor, what can you do in a counseling
session to maximize the benefit of helping adolescents understand the positive and
negative consequences of their choices?
4. What do you believe the most challenging aspects would be for you in counseling
adolescents? What would the most rewarding aspects be?
5. What obstacles do you believe counselors encounter in their work with parents? What
can they do to minimize those obstacles and facilitate the process of teaching parents
the tools of recovery?
6. From your reading of this chapter, list the primary elements that treatment programs
focus on to help adolescents change their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors that
revolve around addictive chemicals. Discuss strategies you would use to maximize the
likelihood that working on each specific key element would be a helpful process for a
client.
7. Exercise and recreation are important elements of an adolescent treatment program.
The book sees value in weight training, jogging, and sports. Knowing that some kids are
more proficient in sports than others, how can you ensure inclusion? Sportsmanship?