Family-based and Adolescent Residential Drug Treatment (ART)

University of Miami

Status: Completed

Conditions: Delinquency; Substance Use

Treatments: Behavioral: Adolescent Residential Treatment; Behavioral: Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01737632

P50DA011328

Details and patient eligibility

About

The fundamental objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of an intensive in-home family-based treatment, Multidimensional Family Therapy, with a multifaceted residential treatment, Adolescent Residential Treatment, over 4 years post-intake and to delineate the mechanisms of change for each treatment. The study targets dually- diagnosed adolescent drug abusers recommended for residential treatment.

Full description

Aim 1: To compare the effectiveness of residential treatment with outpatient, family-based treatment multiple outcomes including substance use, mental health, school functioning, family function and delinquency among dually diagnosed adolescents.

Hypothesis 1. From intake to 2 months, residential treatment will show better outcomes than the family based treatment. Between 2 months and 18 months, family based treatment will show better outcomes than residential. Between 18 months and four years post intake, outpatient family based treatment will maintain its treatment gains, while the residential treatment condition will show an increase in these same symptoms and behaviors.

Aim 2: To examine the relationship between predictors (family, peer, educational/vocational functioning and involvement in post-treatment services), and outcomes (drug use, co-morbid symptoms, and criminal behavior) during the four-year post intake period.

Hypothesis 2a. Family functioning, educational/vocational functioning, and peer relationships measured at discharge will predict drug use, co-morbid symptoms, and criminal behaviors though the four year longer term follow up period.

Hypothesis 2b. Family functioning, educational/vocational functioning, peer relationships, and involvement in post-treatment services during the post treatment period will predict drug use, co-morbid symptoms, and criminal behavior through the longer term follow up period.

Research Question 1. Is the rate of change in family functioning, educational/vocational functioning, peer relationships, and involvement in post-treatment services related to the rate of change in drug use, co-morbid symptoms, and criminal behavior?

Enrollment: 113 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Youth between the ages of 13 and 17
• Referred to ATP for residential substance abuse treatment in youth dual diagnosis program
• Dually diagnosed for substance abuse or dependence and at least one of the following co-morbid conditions: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, I conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder,
• At least one parent or parent-figure can be located at the time of referral.
• Obtain informed consent from a parent or formal guardian and assent from youth to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Have any of the following disorders: Mental Retardation, Eating Disorders, Schizophrenia, or Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
• Current suicidality.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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113 participants in 2 patient groups

Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)

Experimental group

Description:

MDFT is an intensive, in-home family-based drug abuse treatment for adolescent substance abusers. MDFT views family factors in their context -in terms of the network (individual, familial, peer, community) or multiplicity of influences on drug use and change.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT)

Adolescent Residential Treatment

Other group

Description:

The Adolescent Treatment Program (ATP) is a residential dual diagnosed substance abuse treatment program that is staff secure. It is based on a social learning approach which emphasizes positive reinforcement for appropriate coping behavior and social skills, and incorporates a "levels" system which allocates privileges and responsibilities according to the individual's behavioral capacities.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Adolescent Residential Treatment