Chemical Dependency Treatment Research Articles

Relapses in Alcohol and Cocaine Dependence in Spousal Relationships: A Behavioral Assessment with Couple

Contingency analysis is a central concept and method in behavior analysis for understanding how the environment influences human behavior. In the treatment of chemical dependency, this analysis makes it possible to examine the functional relationships between antecedent stimuli, behaviors, and consequences (antecedent-behavior-consequence model) in order to understand and modify behavior. Through contingency analysis, professionals can personalize and adapt interventions according to the individual needs of substance-dependence patients, making it a fundamental tool in the multidisciplinary approach to relapse prevention. The purpose of this article is to conduct analyses of contingencies described in reports of relapse episodes of psychoactive substance use by individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence and cocaine dependence, formally married, throughout their spousal behavioral histories. Based on detailed and systematic information about more than one case in comparison, contingency analyses of relapse episodes were conducted. The study sample consisted of four heterosexual couples (total N = 8), with one individual in the couple diagnosed with alcohol or cocaine dependence. The selection was made through the Rehabilitation Program of a Military Police Hospital located in Vitória/ES, Brazil. The analyses revealed common contingencies, including social pressure (from the friends' group with their invitations), negative emotional states (elicited by plans gone wrong, adverse conditions), and physiological dependence (craving, withdrawal syndrome, tolerance, and salience of use). The specificity of the spousal relationship provided the nuance for these contingencies, emphasizing the importance of therapeutic interventions with couples to assist in preventing relapses, including stress management skills, craving coping, conflict resolution, frustration tolerance, and communication.

Protocolized screening and detection of occult alcohol use before and after liver transplant: Lessons learned from a quality improvement initiative.

Detection of alcohol (ETOH) use with biomarkers provides an opportunity to intervene and treat patients with alcohol use disorder before and after liver transplant (LT). We describe our center's experience using urine ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and serum phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in alcohol screening protocols. Single-center, retrospective review of patients presenting for LT evaluation, patients waitlisted for LT for alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and patients who received a LT for ALD over a 12-month period, from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. Patients were followed from waitlisting to LT, or for up to 12 months post-LT. We monitored protocol adherence to screening for ETOH use- defined as completion of all possible tests over the follow-up period- at the initial LT visit, while on the LT waitlist and after LT. During the study period, 227 patients were evaluated for LT (median age 57 years, 58% male, 78% white, 54.2% ALD). Thirty-one patients with ALD were placed on the waitlist, and 38 patients underwent LT for ALD during this time period. Protocolized adherence to screening for alcohol use was higher for PEth for all LT evaluation patients (191 [84.1%] vs. 146 [67%] eligible patients, p<.001), in patients with ALD waitlisted for LT (22 [71%] vs. 14 (48%] eligible patients, p=.04) and after LT for ALD, 20 (33 [86.8%] vs. 20 [52.6%] eligible patients, p<.01). Few patients with a positive test in any group completed chemical dependency treatment. When screening for ETOH use in pre- and post-LT patients, protocol adherence is higher using PEth compared to EtG. While protocolized biomarker screening can detect recurrent ETOH use in this population, engagement of patients into chemical dependency treatment remains challenging.

To treat or not to treat? High-potency benzodiazepine use in a case of comorbid hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and alcohol use disorder.

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is characterized by visual disturbances that resemble psychedelic intoxication and linger after use has ceased. The most common substances precipitating HPPD, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, are posited to do so via damage to serotonergic neurons involved in vision. Mr. N is a 37-year-old with a history of alcohol, cannabis, LSD, cocaine, and nicotine use disorders who described visual distortions that resolved when he drank heavily or received benzodiazepines for withdrawal. He did not appear psychotic. Over 20 years after his last LSD use, he continued to experience illusions of halos around objects, moving walls, and figures appearing cartoonish. He understood that his perceptual disturbances were not reality based. During hospitalization for suicidal ideation, laboratory tests, head computed tomography (CT), and electroencephalogram (EEG) studies offered no explanation for his visual disturbances other than HPPD. The visual distortions remitted with scheduled clonazepam treatment, although chemical dependency treatment programs were hesitant to accept him while on a benzodiazepine. This case emphasizes the importance of diagnostic clarification when patients present with perceptual disturbances that do not fit typical psychotic presentations. Our discussion will distinguish misperceptions from hallucinations and review the pathophysiology of HPPD. Last, we will discuss management strategies for patients with co-occurring HPPD and substance use disorders. It is necessary to discern the correct cause of visual disturbances in order to provide proper treatment. The risks and benefits of long-term benzodiazepine use must be weighed when deciding whether to prescribe them for patients with comorbid HPPD and alcohol use disorder. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE AND CAREER PLANNING

Chemical dependency is a public health problem, a disease that causes damage in several areas of the life of the subject who uses psychoactive substances. These losses may involve, in addition to health issues, family, school, financial and work aspects. The treatment of chemical dependency aims at social reintegration and this process is still a challenge for the population that suffers from this disease. Work is an activity of paramount importance in the lives of human beings and unemployment, for chemically dependent people, can aggravate their social exclusion. The absence of work possibilities is constant in subjects in a situation of dependence, since the difficulties of managing daily responsibilities alongside chemical dependence often culminate in breaking the bond with work. Bearing in mind that the number of drug addicts in Brazil and in the world is growing and that work occupies a central place in people’s lives, interventions that allow the rescue of social insertion through work can be assertive to prevent relapse in the treatment. Given the above, the present study is qualitative, descriptive and observational. The objective of this study was to identify the importance of a Professional Orientation and Career Planning process in the treatment of institutionalized chemical dependents. The study included 6 men over 18 years old, who were hospitalized in a Hospital Complex in Mental Health, located in the city of Canoas/Rio Grande do Sul. Data were collected through workshops focused on Professional Guidance and Career Planning that addressed self-knowledge and training of these individuals for stages of selection processes. The analysis of the collected data was carried out in the light of a thematic analysis. The results indicate that the process of professional guidance and career planning carried out contributed to the treatment of participants by promoting mental health, helping in the treatment of chemical dependence and serving as a strategy in preventing relapse. New studies on the subject are suggested through interventions carried out in Therapeutic Communities (TC), since the length of stay is longer.

Coping Strategies and Self-Actualization among the Rehabilitated Drug-Users: A Case Study

The study aimed to explore the coping strategies and self-actualization of the rehabilitated drug-users. Using an interview guide, the researchers gathered data from 8 rehabilitated drug-users from the IT Works Chemical Dependency Treatment Center in Ozamiz City. The study utilized the qualitative research method using Yin’s 5-step data analysis approach to obtain meaningful themes. The findings reveal five themes: recovered through spirituality, managing self-control to prevent relapse, communication and good diversion of bad habits, importance of self-management and, choose dependable acquaintances. The rehabilitated drug users come up with coping strategies by recovering through spirituality, managing their self-control to prevent relapse, and having communication and good diversion of bad habits. The rehabilitated drug-users also attained self-actualization through realizing the importance of self-management and choosing dependable acquaintances. The researchers recommend that rehabilitated drug-users should continue the routine that helps them recover during their rehabilitation to prevent having relapse. The researchers also suggest that the families of the rehabilitated drug-users should provide physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to help prevent the rehabilitated drug-user from going back into his addiction.

Unveiling the Stories of the Rehabilitation Center Personnel in Dealing with Mentally Challenged Individuals: Phenomenological Study

This study explored the experience of personnel during their duties in It Works! Chemical Dependency Treatment Center, Tinago, Ozamiz City. The study used a qualitative approach using the phenomenological study Research design. Ten personnel from It Works! Tinago, Ozamiz City, who encountered many Challenges in dealing with mental challenges, were considered participants of the study. They were selected based on the following criteria: (1) personnel of the Rehabilitation center, (2) in serving six (6) months, (3) have direct contact with handling mentally challenged individuals, (4) willingness to participate. An interview was used to gather data. Analysis of the responses was done using Moustakas’ follow a flinty systematic procedure accessible to qualitative research transcendental phenomenological study. Results generated five themes: Passionate to help, Adversity in Dealing with Diverse Mentally Challenged Individuals, Maintaining Professionalism, and Ensuring the safety and well-being of the Patients; each employee at the rehabilitation center has a personal story about how they became interested in working with mentally challenged people. Hence, personnel must be physically, emotionally, and mentally ready when helping individuals find recovery.

Analysis of the type of imagery and imagery themes from Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) sessions with adults in chemical dependency treatment

Substance use disorders have a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities worldwide due to their impact on relationships, health, work and productivity, and crime. Over 300 million adults worldwide use illicit drugs, creating a heavy disease burden and costing countries billions of dollars annually. The complex nature of addiction warrants a holistic treatment approach that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual impacts. This secondary analysis examines the types of imagery and analyzes the imagery themes of ten adults who participated in a series of GIM sessions while in inpatient addiction treatment. This secondary analysis included analyzing 66 transcripts from their individual GIM sessions. Analysis of types of imagery indicated that participants most frequently experienced visual imagery, then affect imagery, kinesthetic imagery, body imagery, interaction imagery, and memory imagery. Through analysis of the participants’ imagery, nine themes emerged: stuck, fear, loss, anger, letting go, moving on, discovering inner strength, transformation and hope. Participants’ experiences of these six types of imagery represent the multi-faceted nature of GIM that fosters exploration, engagement, and expression in these nuanced ways. The imagery themes indicate a process of change and transformation that participants’ experienced through their series of sessions.

Epidemiological Profile of Patients under Chemical Dependence Treatment and Applicability of the Urica Questionnaire as a Tool for Behavior Change

Epidemiological Profile of Patients under Chemical Dependence Treatment and Applicability of the Urica Questionnaire as a Tool for Behavior Change

Association between crack cocaine use and dental caries experience: a cross-sectional study in southern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to compare the prevalence of dental caries between crack cocaine users and a control group. The study included 106 participants in each group matched for age, sex, and exposure to tobacco. Crack cocaine users were selected from institutions for the treatment of chemical dependency, and the control group was recruited from a public school and among patients who sought dental care. A calibrated examiner determined dental caries experience [Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index]. The severity of tooth decay was determined using the Significant Caries Index (SiC). The prevalence of dental caries (DMFT ≥ 1) was 96.2 and 81.1% among the crack cocaine users and nonusers, respectively. Crack users had higher mean DMFT values (7.16 versus 4.92) for the decayed and missing components as well as a higher percentage of individuals with highly severe caries compared to nonusers. After the adjustments in the multivariate model, the prevalence of caries was 18% higher among the crack users (prevalence ratio: 1.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.30). Age, family income, crack cocaine use, and dental calculus were associated with the occurrence of dental caries. In conclusion, the prevalence of caries was higher among the crack users compared with the control group and remained associated with dental caries in the multivariate analysis.

93096 Does gender matter? Gender differences in the relationship between resting-state functional connectivity and emotion regulation in alcohol use disorder.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Our research has the potential to impact human health by identifying gender specific neural markers of emotion regulation in alcohol use disorder. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Emotion dysregulation is known to be mediated by altered functional organization of the limbic system in addiction. This preliminary study sought to identify gender effects in the association between emotion regulation and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of a negative affect network. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: 55 individuals receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder (˜2 weeks of abstinence) were recruited for this study and included in this analysis (N=55; Age: M=41.78, SD=10.66; 21 females). RsFC within a network involved in the withdrawal/negative affect stage of addiction and Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) metrics were collected from all participants. RsFC data were preprocessed using the Human Connectome Project pipelines. Correlations between (a) rsFC within the withdrawal/negative affect network and the (b) scores of the negative affect subscale of the PID-5 instrument were conducted for each gender separately. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Independent samples t-test showed a statistically significant gender difference in the PID-5 negative affect scores (Males: M=1.02, SD=0.66; Females: M=1.53, SD=0.51); t(55)=-3.002, p=0.004. Only females showed a significant correlation between rsFC within the withdrawal/negative affect network and negative affect scores of the PID-5 (r=0.51, p&lt;0.05). Fisher r-to-z test showed significant gender differences (z=-1.91; p=0.03, 1-tailed) in correlations coefficients representing the relationship between rsFC of the withdrawal/negative affect network and negative affect (PID-5 subscale). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Preliminary findings suggest that the relationship between neural networks mediating emotion regulation and negative affect is only found in females. These results provide valuable data to inform personalized chemical dependency treatment that targets emotion regulation specific to females.

S0072 Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Long-Term Follow-Up and Outpatient Intervention

INTRODUCTION: Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is a severe form of pancreatitis with significant morbidity and mortality. More patients are surviving index hospitalization with minimally invasive treatment approaches. The long-term outcomes in patients with ANP have not been well described. We investigated the success with outpatient interventions including cholecystectomy and chemical dependency treatment in relation to long-term outcomes of repeated hospitalization, alcohol use and mortality. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center from 2010 to 2019 and included in a prospectively collected database were screened to identify those with biliary or alcohol related ANP. Data on index hospitalization and patient characteristics was extracted using retrospective chart review. Long-term follow up and outpatient interventions were assessed with written and/or telephone surveys. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients with alcohol (103/211, 48.8%) or biliary (108/211, 51.2%) ANP were identified after initial screening. Average age was 54.3 ± 15.2 years, 71% were male (150/211) and 14.2% deceased (30/211). There were a total of 67 responses to written or telephone surveys and the average length of follow up was 56 months. Cholecystectomy was reported by 95.6% (43/45) with biliary ANP, the remaining 4.4% (2/45) had met with a surgeon and were not surgical candidates. Only 11.6% (5/44) reported hospitalization in the prior year related to pancreatitis or related complications and 20.9% (9/43) reported frequent pain. Only 72.7% (16/22) with alcohol related ANP recalled having any provider discuss alcohol abstinence, 31.8% (7/22) reported completing any type of chemical dependency treatment and 40.9% (9/22) continued to drink alcohol. Although 9.1% (2/22) reported hospitalization in the past year, 31.8% (7/22) had ongoing pain related to their pancreas and only 50% (11/22) have followed up with a GI provider at the University of Minnesota. CONCLUSION: Patients with biliary ANP are successful in following up for cholecystectomy. More attention needs to be drawn to those with alcohol related ANP acknowledging that up to 40% continue to drink with only a small proportion who have followed through with chemical dependency treatment. Particular emphasis should be placed prior to hospital discharge to educate patients on alcohol abstinence, encourage participation in chemical dependency treatment and schedule close follow up with a GI provider.Table 1.: Baseline characteristics of patients who alcohol or biliary necrotizing pancreatitis.Table 2.: Survey responses from patients with biliary pancreatitis.Table 3.: Patients who responded to survey have alcohol related pancreatitis.

Patients with Chemical Dependence: Sociodemographic and Clinical Profile

The study aimed to delineate the clinical and sociodemographic profile of patients treated at the Psychosocial Care Center Alcohol and other Drugs. This is a descriptive, documentary, retrospective and exploratory research conducted in the city of Crato-CE, based on CAPS AD, and using as a data collection instrument a table containing information necessary for the study of 60 patient records. It was observed that the majority of patients were men (70%), single (47%), incomplete elementary school (42%), unemployed (66%) and low income (45%). The association of alcohol and cigarettes (50%) was the most common and the most used drugs were antidepressants (69%) and antipsychotics (17%). It was concluded that the performance of professionals is extremely relevant in the treatment of chemical dependence reducing the recurrence of patients. Keywords: Mental health. Medical records. Psychopharmaceuticals.

Clinical Issues to Consider for Clozapine Patients Who Vape: A Case Illustration.

Vaping uses an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) for inhaling vaporized and aerosolized ingredients. A significant subset of the psychiatric patient population will use ENDS and may have concurrent cigarette usage. In the clinical case highlighted here, a patient with significant nicotine use is prescribed clozapine. He typically inhales vaporized nicotine solution, but during a chemical dependency treatment, he was provided cigarettes instead of ENDS to prevent him from consuming substances other than nicotine. Exposure to cigarette smoke led to clinically worsening psychotic symptoms that reversed when he was discharged from treatment, stopped cigarette use, and resumed ENDS use. However, his extremely high nicotine exposure then led to symptoms resembling an anxiety disorder, which resolved when ENDS use decreased. Psychiatrists must become familiar with patients' vaping and smoking habits and be alert to altered plasma drug levels in patients whose method of nicotine ingestion changes over time.

Oficina de educação nutricional para usuários de entorpecentes em tratamento: um relato de experiência

A dependência química é um termo genérico relativo à dependência psicológica e/ou física de uma substância exógena. Estar livre da fome e ter uma alimentação saudável e adequada são direitos humanos fundamentais. Os dependentes químicos pela vulnerabilidade social e os riscos à saúde que de certa forma afetam o estado nutricional estimularam a realização do projeto por meio de oficinas e encontros realizados entre novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015 em uma instituição de longa permanência para dependentes químicos. O objetivo do estudo foi descrever as experiências vivenciadas e as oficinas de educação nutricional realizadas durante esse período. Os resultados encontrados foram positivos onde conseguiu-se perceber mudanças de hábitos e comportamentos alimentares além da melhora do bem-estar e sucesso no tratamento. A partir disso sugere-se que novos projetos sejam realizados com esse tipo de público, pois atividades como essa modificam e melhoram a autoestima e o bem-estar que é um coadjuvante para o sucesso no tratamento de dependência química.

Replication of the Self-Concept and Identity Measure (SCIM) Among a Treatment-Seeking Sample

ABSTRACTIdentity distress occurs within a variety of psychiatric conditions. Reliable tools for assessing identity-related functioning among clinical populations are greatly needed. The Self-Concept and Identity Measure (SCIM) is a brief self-report scale designed to assess healthy and disturbed identity dimensions. This measure has been validated within normative but not treatment-seeking samples. The present study used an a priori confirmatory approach to replicate the SCIM’s factor structure among disadvantaged women enrolled in treatment for chemical dependence (N = 216). The original three-factor structure and item loadings generally replicated within this diagnostically diverse, significantly impaired sample. Higher SCIM scores were also associated with other problems, such as emotion dysregulation and depression. Results support the SCIM’s use and scoring with clinical populations.

Immediate effects of interoceptive awareness training through Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) for women in substance use disorder treatment

Background: Sensory information gained through interoceptive awareness may play an important role in affective behavior and successful inhibition of drug use. This study examined the immediate pre-post effects of the mind-body intervention Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) as an adjunct to women’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. MABT teaches interoceptive awareness skills to promote self-care and emotion regulation. Methods: Women in intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) for chemical dependency (N = 217) at 3 community clinics in the Pacific Northwest of the United States were recruited and randomly assigned to one of 3 study conditions: MABT + treatment as usual (TAU), women’s health education (WHE) +TAU (active control condition), and TAU only. At baseline and 3 months post-intervention, assessments were made of interoceptive awareness skills and mindfulness, emotion regulation (self-report and psychophysiological measures), symptomatic distress (depression and trauma-related symptoms), and substance use (days abstinent) and craving. Changes in outcomes across time were assessed using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression. Results: Findings based on an intent-to-treat approach demonstrated significant improvements in interoceptive awareness and mindfulness skills, emotion dysregulation (self-report and psychophysiology), and days abstinent for women who received MABT compared with the other study groups. Additional analyses based on participants who completed the major components of MABT (at least 75% of the intervention sessions) revealed these same improvements as well as reductions in depressive symptoms and substance craving. Conclusions: Findings that interoceptive training is associated with health outcomes for women in SUD treatment are consistent with emerging neurocognitive models that link interoception to emotion regulation and to related health outcomes, providing knowledge critical to supporting and improving SUD treatment.

A TERAPIA COGNITIVO-COMPORTAMENTAL NO TRATAMENTO DA DEPENDÊNCIA DE CRACK: ESTUDO DE CASO

Chemical dependency is a multifactorial problem that brings constant challenges to the professionals involved in its treatment, being necessary to seek effective intervention strategies. This article presents a case study of crack dependence. The objective of this paper was to describe the application of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of chemical dependency, the techniques used and the results obtained. The method consisted of the accomplishment of the diagnostic evaluation, the treatment plan and the intervention. The data analysis indicated the improvement of mood, cognitive restructuring, improvements on cope with relapse risk, problem solving, social skills and abstinence maintenance. The results suggest the effectiveness of CBT in the chemical dependence treatment.

Análise do equilíbrio corporal e aptidão física de indivíduos em tratamento para dependência química

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; O abuso de álcool e drogas pode ocasionar efeitos negativos nas habilidades motoras e capacidades coordenativas. Diversos estudos têm demonstrado a precariedade nos níveis de aptidão física em indivíduos dependentes químicos, sendo que variáveis da aptidão física e equilíbrio corporal são influenciados pelo consumo prolongado dessas substâncias mesmo após a cessação do uso. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar indicadores da aptidão física e equilíbrio corporal de indivíduos internados para tratamento de dependência química, relacionando os dados ao tempo de uso de drogas ou álcool. Foram analisados indicadores antropométricos, exibilidade, agilidade e equilíbrio de 46 indivíduos adultos (14 mulheres e 32 homens com 38,3 ± 12,9 anos), que também responderam uma anamnese. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva, teste t student, Mann Whitney e correlação de Spearman, adotando-se p ≤ 0,05. Os resultados obtidos demonstram maior prevalência de pacientes do sexo masculino, dependentes de múltiplas substâncias, baixo nível de escolaridade, tempo de consumo superior a 10 anos e que não praticavam atividade física regular previamente à internação. Quanto maior o tempo de uso, piores são os resultados nos testes de agilidade e equilíbrio, tanto com olhos abertos quanto com os olhos fechados. É possível concluir que tanto o avançar da idade quanto o maior tempo de dependência pioram o desempenho nas variáveis agilidade e equilíbrio corporal. Dessa forma, ressalta-se a importância em oferecer programas de atividade física que aprimorem aspectos da aptidão física relacionada à saúde de indivíduos internados para tratamento de dependência química, sobretudo para aqueles com maior tempo de uso de drogas e álcool.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

How does a drug court experience influence student pharmacists?

IntroductionDrug court is a highly structured, community-based criminal justice alternative to imprisonment and probation that incorporates chemical dependency treatment for offenders with a substance abuse diagnosis. Drug court provides a unique learning experience for pharmacy students. MethodsStudents from Purdue University College of Pharmacy and the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy participated in drug court and provided written reflections regarding their experiences. Analysis of reflections explored how students’ life experiences might be associated with their understanding of substance use disorder, and how the drug court experience might impact students’ attitudes regarding substance use disorder as well as professional and personal development. ResultsConsensual qualitative analysis of student pharmacist reflections of the drug court experience led to eleven distinct themes: description of the student experience at drug court; past experiences and exposures; past perceptions and judgments; stereotype deconstruction; empathy development; development of impartiality and fair-minded approach; situational appreciation; analytical thinking; role of the pharmacist; metacognition; and science of substance use disorder. DiscussionColleges of pharmacy wishing to provide students with an opportunity for personal and professional development focused on substance use disorder and recovery should explore experiential learning opportunities in drug court settings. ConclusionsThe drug court experience allows student pharmacist learners to gain a deeper personal understanding of substance use disorder while examining their own biases. Students reported that this experience challenges them to rethink notions of “good” and “bad” and reflect on personal preconceived views about substance use disorder and morality.

Relational Health in Transitions: Female Adolescents in Chemical Dependency Treatment

ABSTRACTBackground: Adolescent substance use (SU) remains a serious problem. Inpatient, primary care, and self-treatment models for chemical dependency (CD) yield varying degrees of success impacting the sequelae of chronic or episodic SU. Relational engagement among adolescent substance users is a long known influential factor in the development, maintenance and transformation of addictive behaviors. Objectives: Following tenets of Relational-Cultural Theory and using the Relational Health Indices for Youth (RHI-Y), a validated survey tool for adolescents, we sought to measure relational health (RH) during times of transitions during CD treatment. This article addresses use of the tool and its potential for improving addictions research and practice. Methods: During 2015–2017 we explored differences in RH scores in adolescent girls entering inpatient CD treatment at three points: 51 at admission, 39 at discharge, and 13 at 3 months post-discharge. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model to compare changes in domain scores of RH. Results: Changes in RH scores were significant in the friend domain, but not the mentor and community domains. The RHI-Y shows promise in discerning RH change during transitions in CD treatment.