Table 2 Data information

Anderberg & Dahlberg & Wennberg 2022, Sweden [29*]

2, 3

Quantitative follow-up study

Combined data from structured interviews with young people at intake and data from various registers at follow-up 1 year after baseline. N = 455

To analyze indications of continued problems with criminality and drug use among young people, and how various risk factors predict outcomes 1 year after initiated treatment contact at outpatient clinics

About one-quarter of the young people who begun outpatient treatment had been convicted of crimes at 1-year follow-up. Most of them who had been convicted of offenses also had ongoing problems with substance use and three-quarters of the young people had been charged with a drug-related offense. Interventions meeting the needs of young people and moving away from the emphasis on penal law principles were recommended

Anderberg & Dahlberg 2018, Sweden [28*]

1, 2

Cross-sectional quantitative study

Data from structured UngDok interviews from 11 Swedish Maria clinics. N = 2169

To describe similarities and differences regarding various risk factors between girls and boys with substance abuse problems who begin outpatient treatment

Girls appeared to have more difficult family and childhood environments than boys and were more likely to have problems related to school, more serious substance abuse problems, and more severe mental health problems. Criminal activity was significantly higher among boys

Anderberg & Dahlberg 2016, Sweden [1*]

1, 2

Quantitative study

UngDOK intake data from Maria clinics. N = 748

To describe and analyze victimization among adolescents who are in outpatient treatment for substance abuse disorders with respect to gender, social circumstances, alcohol and drug abuse, and mental health

More than half of the adolescents had experienced violence or other type of abuse. There were significant gender differences: two thirds of the girls and slightly less than half the boys had experienced abuse in some form, and the girls had more severe needs at treatment admission

Boson & Anderberg & Hagborg Melander & Wennberg & Dahlberg 2022, Sweden [30*]

2, 3

Quantitative follow-up study

Data from official records of Maria clinics from 12 medium-sized to large cities. Combined data from structured interviews with adolescents at intake and data from various records at follow- up 1 year after baseline. N = 455

To describe and analyze indications of mental health problems and how various risk factors predict outcomes 1 year after initial treatment contact. Links between risk factors at the individual, social, and structural levels as well as links between various mental illness symptoms at treatment start and potential indications of mental health problems 1 year later were analyzed

Mental health problems among adolescents largely persisted 1 year after starting outpatient care for substance use problems. Forty-two per cent of the sample had mental health problems at follow-up, and registrations for both outpatient treatment and psychiatric medication were more common among girls. Girls reported more mental illness symptoms at treatment start, especially anxiety

Ekendahl & Månsson & Karlsson 2020, Sweden [33*]

3

Qualitative narrative/thematic study

Semi-structured interviews for 16–24 years old young clients at six outpatient treatment centers for young people with substance abuse problems. N = 18

To explore how young people perceive outpatient treatment for cannabis use, position themselves as subjects in relation to it, and how they respond to staff’s appeals to rationality and responsible action

Young clients understood their histories in a responsibilized way where the risk information about cannabis they received was considered crucial. Those who resisted treatment rejected cannabis problematizations by staff, did not value interventions and felt that they managed their use. Those who complied with treatment said that cannabis problematizations helped them acknowledge their own difficulties, handle addiction and mature

Fridjonsdottir 2008, Iceland [25*]

2

Quantitative study

Records of 14–19 years old adolescents admitted for detoxification treatment at the Iceland’s main detoxification and treatment center. N = 41

To explore if the Motivation for Change Inventory for Adolescents (Revised)-Icelandic version is valid and reliable instrument for measuring motivation for change in the early phase of chemical dependency treatment among adolescents

Fourteen items in the Motivation to Change Inventory of Adolescents (Revised)-Icelandic version have acceptable internal consistency reliability. These items measure self-efficacy, social support, alternative activities, and perception of life skills; these variables are all related to motivation for change, a multidimensional construct

Gaulen & Carlsen 2016, Norway [27*]

2, 3

Descriptive qualitative review

Contains no empirical data

To give an overview about the current youth substance abuse recovery services and intervention practices in Norway, and to describe available opportunities for and barriers to youth treatment and aftercare

Norway has several adolescent substance abuse treatment centers and services in Norway. The responsibility to help youth who need alcohol and/or drug treatment lies in the Norwegian municipalities. Treatments take place in institutions or at outpatient clinics. Young people typically receive detoxification services in a hospital or residential treatment setting

Heradstveit & Gjertsen & Iversen & Aasen Nilsen & Gärtner Askeland & Christiansen & Hysing 2020, Norway [36*]

3

Quantitative comparative study

Cross-sectional, population-based survey data. N = 9785

To investigate whether adolescents in contact with CWS are at higher risk for substance-related problems (SRP) compared with the general adolescent population, and to what extent those in foster care (FC) differ from those receiving in-home services (IHS)

Adolescents receiving IHS and adolescents in FC had a significantly heightened risk for SRP, compared with the general population. The risk for SRP was higher among adolescents receiving IHS compared with those living in FC

Jalling & Bodin & Romelsjö & Källmén & Durbeej & Tengström 2016, Sweden [37*]

1

Quantitative simple randomized trial

Records of parents and their adolescents aged 12–18 who were assigned either to a Comet 12–18 or a Swedish ParentStep program due to the adolescent being at risk for consolidating antisocial behavior. N_parents = 241;

N_adolescents = 237

To investigate the effects of Comet 12–18 and ParentSteps on measures of antisocial behavior when given under real-world conditions to parents of at-risk adolescents

Neither Comet nor ParentSteps had beneficial effects on adolescents’ antisocial or delinquent behavior, or on alcohol use. The risk of illicit drug use at follow-up was threefold greater in both intervention groups compared to controls, suggesting that the studied parenting programs might have caused harm in this particular outcome. However, this finding should be treated with caution for several reasons

Järvinen & Ravn 2015, Denmark [34]

1

Qualitative narrative study

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with young people who enrolled in outpatient drug treatment. N = 30

To show that images of the past are related to images of the future: the way the interviewees narrate their cannabis career up until now is reflected in the way they anticipate their relationship to drugs in the years to come

Four different drug use ‘etiologies’ were identified drawn upon by the interviewees. These included childhood experiences, self-medication, the influence of friends and cannabis use as a specific lifestyle

Nordfjærn & Dahl & Flemmen 2013, Norway [38*]

1, 2

Quantitative study

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey data. N = 1288 (n = 740 nine secondary schools and n = 548 three high schools)

To investigate social influence, health, criminality and substance use among Norwegian rural adolescents. Relations between these factors and substance use were examined

Deviant behaviors had higher social status among males and adolescents in high school. The social status of deviant behaviors and participation in criminal activities were associated with alcohol and illicit substance use. Parent–adolescent trust was positively associated with alcohol use and parent involvement with friends was similarly related to illicit substance use. The social status of physical appearance and talent in sports were negatively associated with alcohol use

Ogden & Christensen & Sheidow & Holth 2008, Norway [26*]

3

Descriptive qualitative review

Contains no empirical data

To describe the successful nationwide transport and evaluation of Multisystemic Therapy (MST) programs in Norway

Norwegian governmental policy reforms to improve services for young people and their families have focused on evidence-based treatments that take a family preservation approach. The successful nationwide transport and evaluation of MST programs in Norway has much application to US efforts for large-scale adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices. MST Norway has effectively addressed barriers at both the system level and practitioner level

Pirskanen & Laukkanen & Pietilä 2007, Finland [32*]

1

Qualitative study

School health nurses (n = 510) tested ADSUME-instrument and early intervention on 14–18 year-old adolescents (n = 5228). Six months later, the nurses and their professional partners (n = 24) were invited to assess EI in focus group interviews

To improve an early intervention (EI) triggered by the Adolescents’ Substance Use Measurement (ADSUME) as a method to prevent substance abuse among adolescents

ADSUME concretized assessment, activated profound dialogue, and proved to be an important part of EI. It was important to assess the adolescent’s resources in addition to the ADSUME score. EI worked well in confidential dialogues after the adolescent and the PHN reached a consensus on the level of concern about the adolescent’s substance use. The recommended EI enabled individual brief intervention in all four stages of substance use, from abstinence or experimental use to hazardous use

Richert & Anderberg & Dahlberg 2020, Sweden [31]

2, 3

Quantitative study

Structured interviews with N = 1970 young people enrolled in Maria clinics in 11 Swedish cities

To analyze self-reported mental health problems among young people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use problems

Self-reported mental health problems were common among the young people. A relatively large percentage of the total group (34–54%) reported problems such as concentration difficulties, sleeping difficulties, anxiety and depression. At the same time, many of the young people did not report any symptoms and only a small group reported diagnosed mental health disorders. The results show substantial gender differences, with girls reporting significantly higher levels of mental health problems. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated significant associations between severity of drug use problems and anxiety, concentration difficulties, aggression, hallucinations and mental stress caused by experiences of trauma

Sandøy 2019, Norway [35*]

1, 3

Qualitative study

Semi-structured interviews with N = 22 young (15–17 y) offenders in four different locations in Norway

Based on in-depth interviews with youth enrolled in programs to help them refrain from drug use, to identify how the early-stage desistance process is understood by would-be desisters

Rather than describing the rehabilitative programs’ direct impact on their behavior and thinking, the adolescents emphasized the importance of restoring relationships with parents and overcoming legal obstacles. Concerns with personal reform were outweighed by (i) social and (ii) legal concerns. While the precedence of external concerns over personal reform may reflect the participants’ age and level of criminal involvement, it also reflects a particular culture of intervention

Vederhus & Rørendal & Skårdal & Næss & Clausen & Kristensen & López-Goñi 2022, Norway [24*]

2

Quantitative study

The respondents (N = 102) were recruited in four community-based Cannabis Cessation Programs (CCP) in Norway

To examine outcomes of the Cannabis Cessation Program (CCP) intervention

Seventy-six participants (75%) completed the 8-week program, according to plan. All participants reported a significant reduction in cannabis use at T1 (average reduction ~ 16 days per month) and at T2 (N = 59; ~ 13 days per month). Among those that completed the pro- gram, 67% was abstinent from cannabis at T1 and 37% was abstinent at T2. An intention-to-treat analysis showed that 50% (51/102) and 22% (22/102) were abstinent from cannabis use at T1 and T2, respectively. In parallel to abstinence, substantial reduction in mental distress and an increase in well-being and sense of coherence (SoC) were observed. Respondents socialized with fewer friends with current substance use, but drug-free social networks were not expanded

Åström & Jegerby & Andershed & Tengström 2013, Sweden [39*]

1

Quantitative vignette study

Vignette-based questionnaire data. The respondents were social workers employed in social services in Stockholm’s area

To examine how social workers assess adolescents with substance misuse problems, criminal behavior and mental health difficulties, and how they make decisions about treatment interventions to reduce these problems

Social workers recognized the problems and needs of young people, but that they found it harder to link needs to evidence-based interventions