Brief Motivational Interviewing Intervention To Reduce Alcohol and Marijuana Use for At-Risk Adolescents in Primary Care

• NCJ Number: 253603
• Journal: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Volume: 86 Issue: 9 Dated: 2018 Pages: 775-786
• Author(s): Elizabeth J. D'Amico; Layla Parast; William G. Shadel; Lisa S. Meredith; Bachana Seelam; Bradley D. Stein
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Program/Project Evaluation; Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: CrimeSolutions Program ID #635

Annotation

Since the primary care (PC) setting provides a unique opportunity to address adolescent alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, this article reports on a randomized controlled trial in four PC clinics from April 2013 to November 2015 to determine whether a 15-minute brief motivational interviewing (MI) AOD intervention, delivered in PC, reduced alcohol and marijuana use and consequences.

Abstract

Adolescents ages 12 through 18 who came for an appointment during the 2.5-year study period were asked to be in the study and were screened using the NIAAA Screening Guide. Those identified as at-risk were randomized to the intervention, CHAT, or usual care (UC). Adolescents completed four web-based surveys at baseline, 3-, 6- and 12-months post-baseline. The sample (n-294) was 58 percent female, 66 percent Hispanic, 17 percent Black, 12 percent White, and 5 percent multi-ethnic or other, with an average age of 16 years. Compared to UC adolescents, CHAT adolescents reported significantly less perceived peer use of alcohol and marijuana at 3 months (p<0.0001: alcohol; p=.01: marijuana) and 6 months (p=0.04: alcohol; p=0.04: marijuana). CHAT adolescents also reported marginally fewer negative alcohol consequences experienced at 6 months (p=0.08). At 12 months, compared to UC, CHAT adolescents reported less perceived peer alcohol (p =0.04) and marijuana (p <.01) use and fewer negative consequences from alcohol (p - 0.03) and marijuana use (p-0.04). A brief MI intervention delivered in PC reduced negative consequences from alcohol and marijuana use 1 year later. Findings emphasize that adolescents can benefit from PC interventions that briefly and effectively address both alcohol and marijuana use. 5 tables, 1 figure, and 62 references (publisher abstract modified)