The Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse Committee of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has created a toolkit of materials for health care providers, parents, and teenagers, to raise awareness about the needs of youth with traumatic stress and substance abuse problems, and to promote evidence based practices in clinical settings. This product is meant to serve as a training guide for providers working with this population.

Download individual sections below

• About This Toolkit
  This outline of the toolkit's components also includes author credits and acknowledgements.

• Section 1 - Making the Connection
  An introduction for providers, this fact sheet describes ways in which these co-occurring disorders can effect youth.

• Section 2 - Understanding Traumatic Stress in Adolescents
  This fact sheet is meant to broaden providers' understanding of adolescent traumatic stress and the problems that often follow trauma exposure in adolescence.

• Section 3 - Understanding Substance Abuse in Adolescents
  This fact sheet is meant to broaden providers' understanding of adolescent substance use and abuse and the reasons why teens are drawn to drugs and alcohol.

• Section 4 - Treatment for Youth with Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse Problems
  This fact sheet is meant to help identify youth at risk and provide some guidance about integrated treatment approaches for youth afflicted with traumatic stress and substance abuse problems.

• Section 5 - Engaging Adolescents in Treatment
  This fact sheet's topics include identifying and encouraging youth to seek help, getting adolescents into initial treatment sessions, addressing practical barriers to care, getting families involved, building alliances, and enhancing community awareness.

• References
  This sheet includes references cited in the toolkit.

• Section A - Helping Your Teen Cope with Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse
  This pamphlet was created to help parents and caregivers whose teen might be or is experiencing substance abuse and/or stress from a traumatic event.

• Section B - Using Drugs to Deal with Stress and Trauma
  This pamphlet provides information to help teens understand traumatic experiences and some of the reasons behind drug use.

• Section C - Recognizing Drug Use in Adolescents: A Quick Guide for Caregivers
  This pamphlet summarizes signs of intoxication, use, and abuse commonly reported by substance users and provides descriptions of numerous substances and their use.