Conditions: ADHD Substance Abuse
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 303
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of osmotic-release methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) versus placebo for the treatment of ADHD in adolescents with SUD.

Detailed description:
Research shows a high prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescents with substance abuse disorders and indicates that they have poorer substance use treatment outcomes and poorer prognosis and risk of persistence and progression of drug use and behavior problems into adulthood. Although research indicates that the majority are not treated for ADHD while in substance treatment, we do not know whether concurrent pharmacotherapy for ADHD will improve treatment outcomes. This Clinical Trials Network (CTN) study will evaluate the efficacy of osmotic-release methylphenidate (OROS-MPH), relative to placebo, in treating ADHD and decreasing substance use in adolescents (13-18 years old) with ADHD and a substance use disorder. Approximately 300 participants will be recruited at 11 sites and randomly assigned to either OROS-MPH or matching placebo for a 16-week treatment period, during which all participants will receive individual cognitive-behavioral therapy as a standardized treatment for substance abuse.

Arms:
arm 1: None arm 2: None

Interventions: intervention 1: Methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) intervention 2: Methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) - Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Participants will be scheduled for weekly medication (OROS-MPH) and research assessment visits (approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour in length). A forced titration dosing strategy will be used starting with 18 mg/day OROS-MPH for 3 days, increasing to 36mg/day for the next three days; increasing to 54 mg/day in week two, and to 72 mg/day in week three through the remainder of the study (as tolerated). Participants will also attend weekly CBT sessions (approximately 1 hour in length) targeting their drug use. intervention 2: Participants will be scheduled for weekly medication and research assessment visits (approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour in length). A forced titration dosing strategy will be used starting with 18 mg/day OROS-MPH placebo for 3 days, increasing to 36mg/day for the next three days; increasing to 54 mg/day in week two, and to 72 mg/day in week three through the remainder of the study (as tolerated). Participants will also attend weekly CBT sessions (approximately 1 hour in length) targeting their drug use.

Protocol document: