This document is one of seven publications contained in a series of materials for physicians on recognizing, intervening with, and treating adolescent alcoholism. The goals of this unit of study are to provide an overview of the problem of of teenage alcoholism and substance abuse and to facilitate the diagnosis of adolescent alcoholism. The information provided is designed to help the physician develop a greater understanding of the progression of alcoholism and substance abuse and a sensitivity to the manifestations of teenage alcoholism and substance abuse seen in clinical practice. This unit of study will enable the physician to: (1) describe the model of alcohol and other substance abuse as a progression of events usually moving from experimentation to dysfunction; (2) differentiate behavioral and psychological patterns or traits associated with each level of the progression; (3) describe behavior patterns which would likely be exhibited by an adolescent harmfully involved with alcohol; (4) describe the use of medical interviewing techniques in the attainment of a substance abuse history; (5) list risk factors relevant to substance abuse and describe how physical examination and laboratory tests are used as part of the evaluation; (6) synthesize data to make an accurate diagnosis and an assessment of substance abuse; and (7) assess personal skills as related to a patient's level of substance involvement to determine appropriateness of providing care, consulting, or referring. (NB)