Analysis of change in adolescents involved in alcohol and drug treatment

This study examined differences between statistical and clinically significant change. All participants were adolescent 'drinkers' who were classified into 2 groups: those recruited from alcohol or drug treatment programs and with a diagnosis of current alcohol abuse or dependence, or those with no such diagnostic history, and no history of substance abuse treatment. The results showed statistically significant change in clinical participants from baseline to 1 year on the 1 psychosocial adjustment and 3 drinking pattern measures. Additional analyses of clinically significant change greatly enhanced understanding of the level of functioning and degree of change in the clinical participants. The findings illustrate that use of such an approach increases the value of analyses of outcome data to the consumer.