Computer-delivered Psychosocial Intervention for Adolescent Substance Use Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a web-based, skills training program for adolescents with substance use disorders.

Detailed Description
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Substance use among youth remains a major public health problem. About half of all 12th graders have tried an illicit drug and over 72% of this same age group have used alcohol. Rates of abuse of prescription opioids among youth are estimated to have increased about 542% in the past decade. Although effective substance abuse treatment programs for youth exist, they are currently of limited reach. Only 1 in 10 adolescents who need substance abuse treatment receive any care. An interactive, computer-delivered psychosocial (skills-training) intervention has the potential to address these challenges, as it allows for complex interventions to be delivered at a low cost, without increasing demands on staff time or training needs. It may also be highly acceptable to youth and enable widespread dissemination of science-based treatment in a manner that ensures fidelity. In this project, we plan to develop and evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a web-based, skills training program for adolescents with substance use disorders. The content of this program will be based in a model of psychosocial substance abuse treatment for youth that has been shown to be effective in prior scientific research. It will be provided via an interactive, delivery system that employs informational technologies that are effective in promoting relevant knowledge and skills. Adolescents in substance abuse treatment will help shape the development of this program. To our knowledge, the planned program will be the first interactive program to provide comprehensive, psychosocial substance abuse treatment to adolescents via computer-based technology. This research will contribute new information relevant to increasing the delivery of science-based psychosocial treatment to adolescents with substance use disorders in a manner that is cost-effective and which may promote the adoption of effective treatment.

Official Title
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Computer-delivered Psychosocial Intervention for Adolescent Substance Use Disorders

Conditions
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Substance-Related Disorders, Alcohol-Related Disorders, Marijuana Abuse

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Usual care
* Behavioral: Computer-delivered ACRA


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of non-nicotine alcohol or drug use disorder English speaking Parental consent to participate for adolescents under the age of 18. Exclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders that require intensive level of services, such as active psychosis, active mania or active suicidality Plan to move out of the area within the next 3 months Insufficient ability to understand and provide informed consent/assent to participate Lack sufficient ability to use English to participate in the consent/assent process, the interventions or assessments

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Usual care<br>Participants will receive the usual care (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy, self-help groups) provided at the treatment site. | Behavioral: Usual care<br>* Participants will receive the usual care (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, self-help groups) provided at the treatment site.<br>* Other names: treatment-as-usual (TAU);|
| Experimental: Computer-delivered ACRA<br>Participants and willing caregivers will receive a computer-delivered intervention for 12 weeks, based on the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach to substance abuse treatment. | Behavioral: Computer-delivered ACRA<br>* Participants and willing caregivers will receive a computer-delivered intervention for 12 weeks, based on the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach to substance abuse treatment.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| substance use |  | 16 weeks | 
| acceptability of intervention |  | 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HIV risk behavior |  | 16 weeks | 
| psychosocial functioning |  | 16 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Substance Abuse Treatment, Adolescents, Substance-Related Disorders, Alcohol-Related Disorders, Marijuana Abuse