NCJ Number
195523
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 1-43
Date Published
2001
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This study described and evaluated the efficacy of different therapies for 56 dually diagnosed conduct-disordered and substance-dependent youth.
Abstract
The youths in this study were randomly assigned to receive either individual-cognitive therapy or family-behavioral therapy. Subjects in both groups demonstrated significant improvements in their conduct and reductions in use of illicit drugs. Improvements for youth were also evidenced in the domains of depression, problem-solving, life satisfaction, and satisfaction with parents. Similarly, improvements were noted in parents' satisfaction with their children. Since Individual Cognitive Problem-Solving (ICPS) and Family Behavioral Therapy (FBT) are equally effective, researchers must determine what other factors should be considered in recommending one procedure over the other. The ICPS treatment is simpler and requires less training. In addition, this intervention does not require the cooperation of parents or exempt explicit changes in broad categories of conduct such as communication, peer relations, and family relations. The study concluded with the finding that youth who evinced relatively high levels of delinquency were more likely to drop out of counseling if assigned to FBT. On the other hand, if the family was cooperative, intuition, but not the present data, would seem to make the family treatment more appropriate. Tables, notes, figures, references