This study examines the demographic and clinical correlates and time course of depressive symptoms among abstinent adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD) during residential treatment. Fifty-six adolescents were administered the Beck Depression Inventory at Weeks 1, 3, and 5 of residential treatment for SUD. Clinically significant depression persisted in a substantial minority at the time of discharge. Shorter length of stay patients reported higher baseline scores and a significant decline by Week 3. Longer length of stay patients showed significant decline in scores only at Week 5. Females, Caucasians, and high frequency cocaine/opiates users had elevated depressive symptoms, while those with shorter duration of abstinence did not.