Drug Abuse Treatment

Research Findings from September, 2003 Director's Report

This section lists selected summaries from NIDA funded research projects that investigate the child and adolescent drug abuse treatment. The summaries provided were selected from recent issues of the Director's Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. For a more comprehensive listing of NIDA funded projects see the Director's Report.

Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy (CBT) and Psychoeducation Group Therapy (PET) for Adolescent Substance Abusers

A total of 88 adolescents were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of CBT or PET for treatment of substance abuse. On average, adolescents in both treatment groups significantly improved in terms of drug use, based on self reported use (Teen-Addiction Severity Index) and objective urinalysis. While there were no significant overall differences between 3-month and 9-month drug outcomes for adolescents in CBT or PET, variables such as age and the presence of comorbid Conduct Disorder predicted differential success in treatment. These findings highlight the need for additional refinement of CBT group therapy for adolescent drug abuse, and the importance of including mediation and moderation analyses in treatment studies. Kaminer, Y., Burleson, J.A. and Goldberger, R. Cognitive-behavioral Coping Skills and Psychoeducation Therapies for Adolescent Substance Abuse. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 190, pp. 737-745, 2002.

Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) and Group Therapy for Treating Adolescent Behavior Problems and Substance Abuse

Dr. Santisteban and colleagues at the University of Miami tested the relative efficacy of BSFT and group therapy among 126 Hispanic adolescents referred for treatment for behavior problems. BSFT cases showed significantly greater pre- to post-intervention improvement in parent reports of adolescent conduct problems and delinquency, adolescent reports of marijuana use, and observer ratings and self reports of family functioning. Adolescents participating in BSFT showed significantly greater improvement in adolescent conduct problems and delinquency, marijuana use, and family functioning. Further, more adolescents in group therapy had deteriorations in behavior problems, drug use, and family functioning. These results extend prior findings on the efficacy of family interventions to a sample of Hispanic adolescents. Santisteban, D.A., Coatsworth, J.D., Perez-Vidal, A., Kurtines, W.M., Schwartz, S.J., LaPerierre, A. and Szapocznik, J. Journal of Family Psychology, 17, pp. 121-133, 2003.

Stimulating Adoption of Empirically Supported Treatments in Clinical Settings

Drawing on their experiences implementing the Incredible Years Parent-Training Program and several other empirically supported treatments in a children's mental health center, recommendations and guidelines for future program adoption were developed based on suggestions about effective methods for adopting empirically supported treatment programs in mental health centers. Data were collected through surveys and qualitative interviews with the clinicians and administrators following their implementation of the Incredible Years Program. Successful program implementation hinges on the representation, support, and joint involvement of clinicians, administrators, and an "innovator" who acts as a champion and advocate for the program adoption process. Adoption is fostered by: developing a collaborative working group, making the decision process clear, pilot testing, and garnering organizational commitment for the use of empirically supported treatments. A detailed list of role specific recommendations is offered for each of the three collaborative workgroup participants: the innovator, the clinician, and the administrator. Schmidt, F. and Taylor, T.K. Putting Empirically Supported Treatments Into Practice: Lessons Learned in a Children's Mental Health Center. Professional Psychology, 33, pp. 483-489, 2002.