Search

The authors developed a psychoeducational alcohol and drug program for Old Order Amish youth. Participants ranged in age from 16 to 20 years old. All were referred following arrest for a variety of predominantly alcohol-related offenses. The model was designed with input from the Old Order Amish community in response to concerns about existing programs that integrated Amish and non-Amish youth. Increased awareness of the effects of alcohol and drugs and the ability to resist social encouragement to use these substances were goals for the intervention. Preliminary results with 185 participants indicated that Amish youth increased factual knowledge about substances they considered culturally acceptable with moderate increases in comfort with choices. The article discusses the clinical and cultural implications of these findings.

Old Order Amish experience a theologically and culturally defined period of exploration in mid-adolescence that may include experimentation with alcohol and drugs. The trajectory into this period of identity exploration and its purpose are vastly different from those of non-Amish peers. As a result, interventions to address a behavior which appears superficially similar (substance abuse) must be tailored to their specific needs. This article describes a psychoeducational program designed to meet the unique challenges of a culturally respectful interface with this “peculiar people.” In particular, it describes a model that creates an interface between Amish and non-Amish culture, respects their spiritual beliefs, and maximizes learning and motivation to change behaviors.