Disorders - Substance Use Disorders
Engle, Bretton, Macgowan, Mark J.
Objective: Method: Results: Conclusion: Evidence-based social work
requires the use of interventions that are supported by good research evidence. This article reviews the empirical research on adolescent alcohol and
other drug (AOD) abuse group treatments. Despite the popularity of group work, searches of the academic literature yielded only 13 adolescent group
treatments for which AOD use outcomes have been reported. These treatments and the studies that evaluated them are systematically
reviewed.Methodological, efficacy rating, and treatment factor criteria are applied to these studies.Statistically significant reductions in pre-,
post-, and/or follow-up use rates of one or more substances were reported for 10 of the 13 reviewed treatments, but only two met Chambless and
Hollon's (1998) criteria for \"possible efficacy.\" Similarities between the two possibly efficacious treatments, as well as among the three
treatments with no indication of positive outcomes are described. A major limitation of the studies overall was the lack of group treatment factor
descriptions and analyses.If the state of the science is to advance, adolescent AOD group treatment researchers must improve study designs and
reporting on group-related treatment factors. Based on the limited information provided, treatment factors and/or active ingredients that may
distinguish effective vs. ineffective group work are discussed. Finally, the evidence suggests that group work is a viable modality for treating
adolescent AOD abuse despite recent concerns to the contrary. Recommendations for advancing the state of the science are made.
Journal of Evidence-
Based Social Work, 6(3) : 217-243
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any)
DeGarmo, David S., Eddy,
J. Mark, Reid, John B., Fetrow, Rebecca A.
Substance use
outcomes were examined for 351 youth participating in a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of a school-based multimodal
universal preventive intervention, Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT). Frequency of any use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
was assessed via self-report from grades 5 through 12. Latent variable growth models specified average level, linear growth and accelerated growth.
The LIFT intervention had a significant effect on reducing the rate of growth in use of tobacco and illicit drugs, particularly for girls, and had an
overall impact on average levels of use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Average tobacco use reductions were mediated by increases in family
problem solving. The intervention had significant indirect effects on growth in substance use through intervention effects on reduced playground
aggression and increased family problem solving. The intervention was also associated with roughly a 10% reduced risk in initiating tobacco and
alcohol use. Implications for future studies of multimodal preventive interventions are discussed.
Prevention Science, 10(3) : 208-
220
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions
Brody, Gene H., Chen, Yi-Fu, Beach, Steven R.
H., Philibert, Robert A., Kogan, Steven M.
Objective: The present research addressed the following important question in pediatric medicine: can
participation in an efficacious preventive intervention ameliorate the risk that a genetic vulnerability factor is hypothesized to confer on
increases in risk behaviors across preadolescence? Methods: As part of the Strong African American Families preventive intervention study, data were
collected from 641 black families in rural Georgia, assigned randomly to the prevention or control condition. The prevention condition consisted of 7
consecutive meetings at community facilities, with separate parent and youth skill-building curricula and a family curriculum. Each meeting included
separate, concurrent sessions for parents and youths, followed by a joint parent-youth session in which families practiced skills they learned in the
separate sessions. Involvement in risk behaviors was assessed when the youths were 11 (pretest), 12 (posttest), and 14 (long-term follow-up) years of
age. A genetic vulnerability factor, that is, a variable-nucleotide repeat polymorphism in the promoter region of the SLC6A4 gene (5HTT), was
assessed 2 years after the long-term follow-up assessment. Results: Youths at genetic risk who were assigned to the control condition displayed
greater increases in risk behaviors across the 29 months that separated the pretest and long-term follow-up assessments, compared with youths at
genetic risk who were assigned to the Strong African American Families condition and youths without genetic risk who were assigned to either
condition. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate that participation in an efficacious preventive intervention can ameliorate a genetic
risk for increasing involvement in health-compromising risk behaviors across preadolescence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights
reserved) (journal abstract)
Pediatrics, 124(3) : 911-917
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training
Brown, Richard A., Strong, David R., Abrantes, Ana M., Myers, Mark G., Ramsey, Susan E., Kahler, Christopher W.
The purpose of this study
was to compare substance involvement among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescent smokers who had received motivational interviewing (MI) versus
brief advice (BA) for smoking cessation. One hundred and ninety-one (191) adolescent smokers (62.3% female; 15.4 years of age) were randomly assigned
to MI (n=116) or BA (n=75). All patients were assessed at baseline, immediately after hospitalization, and at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-
ups. Rates of substance use in the MI condition during follow-up increased from a low of 8.2% (SD=18.5) to a high of 15.4% (SD=30.0) substance use
days, whereas in BA, substance use days increased from a low of 8.4% (SD=20.8) to a high of 21.4% (SD=35.2). The results of this study suggest that
MI, relative to BA, for smoking cessation was associated with better substance use outcomes during the first 6 months following psychiatric
hospitalization among adolescents. This finding is consistent with previous studies that have shown that smoking cessation does not have a
detrimental effect on substance abuse treatment outcomes among youth.
Addictive Behaviors, 34(10) : 887-891
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Motivational interviewing, includes Motivational Enhancing Therapy
Allahverdipour, Hamid, Bazargan, Mohsen, Farhadinasab, Abdollah, Hidarnia, Alireza, Bashirian, Saeed
The prevalence of substance abuse among adolescents from low- and middle-income countries
is increasing drastically and requires immediate intervention. The objective of this longitudinal quasi-experimental panel study was to design and
implement a skill-based intervention to prevent and reduce substance use among urban adolescents who attended 2 randomly selected high-schools in
Tehran, Iran. One-year post intervention data show that substance abuse, knowledge, attitudes, peer resistance skills, level of self-control, self-
efficacy, and perceived susceptibility among intervention group were significantly improved, whereas level of self control and attitudes against
substance abuse among the control group deteriorated. To efficiently prevent substance abuse among youth primary preventive interventions should be
implemented before onset of substance abuse to improve resistance skills and provide adolescents with information and skills needed to develop anti-
drug norms.
Journal of Drug Education, 39(2) : 211-
222
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training
Beets, Michael W., Flay, Brian R., Vuchinich, Samuel, Snyder, Frank J., Acock, Alan, Li, Kin-Kit, Burns, Kate, et-al
Objectives: Methods: Results: Conclusions: We assessed the effectiveness of a 5-year trial of a comprehensive school-based
program designed to prevent substance use, violent behaviors, and sexual activity among elementary-school students.We used a matched-pair, cluster-
randomized, controlled design, with 10 intervention schools and 10 control schools. Fifth-graders (N = 1714) self-reported on lifetime substance use,
violence, and voluntary sexual activity. Teachers of participant students reported on student (N = 1225) substance use and violence.Two-level
random-effects count models (with students nested within schools) indicated that student-reported substance use (rate ratio [RR] = 0.41; 90%
confidence interval [CI] = 0.25, 0.66) and violence (RR = 0.42; 90% CI = 0.24, 0.73) were significantly lower for students attending intervention
schools. A 2-level random-effects binary model indicated that sexual activity was lower (odds ratio = 0.24; 90% CI = 0.08, 0.66) for intervention
students. Teacher reports substantiated the effects seen for student-reported data. Dose-response analyses indicated that students exposed to the
program for at least 3 years had significantly lower rates of all negative behaviors.Risk-related behaviors were substantially reduced for students
who participated in the program, providing evidence that a comprehensive school-based program can have a strong beneficial effect on student
behavior.
American Journal of Public Health, 99(8) : 1438-1445
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Teesson, M., Newton, N. C., Vogl, L. E., Andrews, G.
Aims: To establish the efficacy and feasibility of the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course, an
internet based prevention program for alcohol and cannabis use in adolescents. Design: A cluster randomised control trial. Intervention and control
groups were assessed at baseline, immediately post and at six months follow-up. Participants: They were 764, 13-year old from ten secondary schools
in Sydney, Australia. Half the schools were randomly allocated to the computerised prevention program (n=397 students), and half to their usual
health classes (n=367 students). Intervention: Computerised, evidence based, curriculum consistent lessons were developed to reduce alcohol and
cannabis use. The 6 lessons on alcohol were given at the beginning of the year and the 6 lessons on alcohol and cannabis use were given 6 months
later. Measures: Alcohol and cannabis knowledge, expectancies and attitudes, alcohol consumption (frequency, quantity and binging), frequency of
cannabis use, and harms associated with one's use of alcohol and cannabis were assessed at baseline, the end of the course and six month follow-up.
Results: There were significant improvements in knowledge regarding alcohol and cannabis use at end of course and at the 6 month follow-up. Frequency
of drinking to excess was reduced immediately after the intervention, and average weekly alcohol consumption and frequency of cannabis use was
reduced at the 6 month follow-up. No differences between groups were found on alcohol expectancies, cannabis attitudes, or harms related to alcohol
and cannabis use. Conclusions: The Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course is acceptable and scalable, and fidelity is ensured. It increased
knowledge regarding alcohol and cannabis, and decreased use of these drugs. Support: The development of the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis
course was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation.
Alcoholism: Clinical &
Experimental Research, 33 : 43A
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Skills training, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Riggs, N. R., Chou, C. P., Pentz, M. A.
Aim The aim of the current study was to
examine the long-term effect of an early adolescent substance abuse prevention program on trajectories and initiation of amphetamine use into early
adulthood. Design Eight middle schools were assigned randomly to a program or control condition. The randomized controlled trial followed
participants through 15 waves of data, from ages 11-28 years. This longitudinal study design includes four separate periods of development from early
adolescence to early adulthood. Setting The intervention took place in middle schools. Participants A total of 1002 adolescents from one large mid-
western US city were the participants in the study. Intervention The intervention was a multi-component community-based program delivered in early
adolescence with a primary emphasis on tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use. Measures At each wave of data collection participants completed a self-
report survey that included questions about life-time amphetamine use. Findings Compared to a control group, participants in the Midwestern
Prevention Project (MPP) intervention condition had reduced growth (slope) in amphetamine use in emerging adulthood, a lower amphetamine use
intercept at the commencement of the early adulthood and delayed amphetamine use initiation. Conclusions The pattern of results suggests that the
program worked first to prevent amphetamine use, and then to maintain the preventive effect into adulthood. Study findings suggest that early
adolescent substance use prevention programs that focus initially on the 'gateway' drugs have utility for long-term prevention of amphetamine use.
(copyright) 2009 Society for the Study of Addiction.
Addiction, 104(10) : 1691-1699
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Schinke, Steven P., Fang, Lin, Cole, Kristin
C.
Objective:
Methods: Results: Conclusions: To test a computer-delivered program for preventing substance use among adolescent girls.Randomly, 916 girls aged
12.76+/-1.0 years and their mothers were assigned to an intervention arm or to a test-only control arm. Intervention-arm dyads engaged in exercises
to improve the mother-daughter relationship, build girls' substance use prevention skills, and reduce associated risk factors. Study outcomes were
girls' and mothers' substance use and mediator variables related to girls' substance use risk and protective factors. The study was conducted
between September 2006 and February 2009 with participants from greater New York City, including southern Connecticut and eastern New Jersey.At 2-
year follow-up and relative to control-arm girls, intervention-arm girls reported lower relevant risk factors and higher protective factors as well
as less past 30-day use of alcohol (p<0.006), marijuana (p<0.016), illicit prescription drugs (p<0.03), and inhalants (p<0.024). Intervention-arm
mothers showed more positive 2-year outcomes than control-arm mothers on variables linked with reduced risks of substance use among their daughters,
and mothers reported lower rates of weekly alcohol consumption (p<0.0001).A computer-delivered prevention program for adolescent girls and their
mothers was effective in changing girls' risk and protective factors and girls' and mothers' substance use behavior.
Preventive Medicine, 49(5) : 429-
435
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Schinke, Steven P., Fang, Lin, Cole, Kristin C.
This study tested a computerized gender-specific, parent-
involvement intervention program grounded in family interaction theory and aimed at preventing substance use among adolescent girls. Following
program delivery and 1 year later, girls randomly assigned to the intervention arm improved more than girls in a control arm on variables associated
with reduced risks for substance use, including communication with their mothers, knowledge of family rules about substance use, awareness of
parental monitoring of their discretionary time, non-acceptance of peer substance use, problem-solving skills, and ability to refuse peer pressure to
use substances. Relative to control-arm girls, those in the intervention arm also reported less 30-day use of alcohol and marijuana and lower
intentions to smoke, drink, and take illicit drugs in the future. Girls' mothers in the intervention arm reported greater improvements after the
program and relative to control-arm mothers in their communication with their daughters, establishment of family rules about substance use, and
monitoring of their daughters' discretionary time. Study findings lend support to the potential of gender-specific, parent-involvement, and
computerized approaches to preventing substance use among adolescent girls.
Addictive
Behaviors, 34(12) : 1060-1064
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Spoth, Richard, Guyll, Max, Shin, Chungyeol
Objectives:
Methods: Results: Conclusions: We examined universal preventive intervention effects on adolescents' exposure to opportunities for substance use and
on illicit substance use in the long term.Public schools (N = 22) were randomly assigned to the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP) or a
control condition. We used odds ratio (OR) calculations and structural modeling to test the effects of the ISFP in the 6th grade on exposure to
substance use across adolescence, as well as on 12th-grade illicit substance use occurring via reductions in exposure.The ISFP was associated with
reduced exposure to illicit substance use (1.25 < or = OR < or = 2.37) that was, in turn, associated with reduced 12th-grade substance use (2.87 < or
= OR < or = 6.35). The ISFP also reduced the rate of increase in exposure across adolescence (B = -0.37; P < .001), which was associated with the
likelihood of 12th-grade illicit substance use (B = 0.30; P = .021), with a significant indirect effect (B = -0.11; P = .048).The ISFP in the 6th
grade reduced substance use through a \"protective shield\" of reduced exposure. The relative reduction rate was 49%, which suggests that universal
prevention shields can contribute to significant reductions in illicit substance use among adolescents.
American Journal of
Public Health, 99(11) : 2026-2033
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Spoth, Richard, Trudeau, Linda, Guyll, Max, Shin, Chungyeol, Redmond, Cleve
In this article, the authors examine whether delayed substance initiation during
adolescence, achieved through universal family-focused interventions conducted in middle school, can reduce problematic substance use during young
adulthood. Sixth-grade students enrolled in 33 rural midwestern schools and their families were randomly assigned to 3 experimental conditions.
Self-report questionnaires provided data at 7 time points for the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP), Preparing for the Drug Free Years
(PDFY), and control groups through young adulthood. Five young adult substance frequency measures (drunkenness, alcohol-related problems, cigarettes,
illicit drugs, and polysubstance use) were modeled as distal outcomes affected by the average level and rate of increase in substance initiation
across the adolescent years in latent growth curve analyses. Results show that the models fit the data and that they were robust across outcomes and
interventions, with more robust effects found for ISFP. The addition of direct intervention effects on young adult outcomes was not supported,
suggesting long-term effects were primarily indirect. Relative reduction rates were calculated to quantify intervention-control differences on the
estimated proportion of young adults indicating problematic substance use; they ranged from 19% to 31% for ISFP and from 9% to 16% for PDFY.
Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 77(4) : 620-
632
- Year: 2009
- Problem: Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions