PCSS-MAUD Webinar: Understanding and Addressing Youth Alcohol Use-Slides

Slides

Pdf Summary

This webinar by Kevin M. Gray, M.D., from the Medical University of South Carolina, presented by the Providers Clinical Support System – Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS-MAUD), focuses on understanding and addressing alcohol use among youth. Funded by SAMHSA, PCSS-MAUD aims to enhance healthcare professionals’ abilities to identify and treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), providing evidence-based education without conflicts of interest.<br /><br />The session's learning objectives include knowledge of adolescent brain development, consequences of youth alcohol use, trends in youth drinking, and clinical approaches to youth AUD. Adolescence is a critical period marked by ongoing brain development—with gray matter pruning and white matter myelination continuing until about age 25. Alcohol use during this time is linked to structural brain changes, cognitive deficits, and increased risk of AUD, with earlier onset correlating to higher dependence risk.<br /><br />Recent data show youth alcohol use rates are declining, a positive sign for development. However, decreased socialization accompanies this trend, introducing complex factors related to mental health and substance use motives. Clinically, most youth with AUD remain untreated due to lack of recognition, stigma, or limited treatment access. Routine screening using validated tools like S2BI and CRAFFT is essential, alongside primary prevention through clear, science-based communication suited to adolescents.<br /><br />Assessment should involve confidential interviews with youth and collateral family information, emphasizing functional analysis to tailor treatment appropriately. Psychosocial interventions—including motivational enhancement, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family-based therapy—are foundational. Pharmacotherapy evidence in adolescents is limited; off-label medications show mixed results and should be adjunctive to behavioral treatment. Monitoring progress both continuously and categorically is key.<br /><br />In summary, adolescence is a vulnerable developmental phase where alcohol use can cause lasting harm. Declining use rates are encouraging, but targeted screening, assessment, and evidence-based psychosocial care remain crucial. Pharmacological treatments need further research and cautious use. Resources like NIAAA’s teen-focused materials and CeASAR’s screening tools support providers in addressing youth alcohol use effectively.

Keywords

Adolescent brain development

Youth alcohol use

Alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Screening tools S2BI and CRAFFT

Psychosocial interventions

Motivational enhancement therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Family-based therapy

Pharmacotherapy in adolescents

Evidence-based treatment