Adults who are recovering from substance abuse usually possess coping skills that adolescents have not yet developed. This paper examines the special needs of adolescents who are recovering from substance abuse. Young people have not had the opportunity to develop healthy social, emotional, and cognitive skills because they are using chemicals at just the time when they are developing these skills. Recovering students may have good intentions when they conclude treatment but they are still developmentally at the age when they started using chemicals. Typically, adolescents move from denial, to compliance, to surrender, and finally, to recovery, as they fight to overcome chemical dependency. Recovery must follow a plan which incorporates physical, spiritual, vocational, and social aspects if the adolescent is to remain drug free. The paper describes the necessary features of recovery groups, such as a focus on fostering insight and support, and outlines desirable steps in forming the group, giving special emphasis to the initiation of members, on maintaining the program, and on evaluating the program (a sample evaluation form is included). Adolescence can be an optimal time for healing because it is a time when developing ideals, values, and morals can be rerouted in positive directions. Contains 24 references. (RJM)