Effectiveness of Assertive Continuing Care for Youth

Following discharge from residential treatment 324 adolescents are randomly assigned to Assertive Continuing Care with and without motivational incentives in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Clinical outcomes are assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post discharge.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for abuse or dependence on alcohol or another drug in the past year
• Been between the ages of 12 and 18 at the time of residential admission; and (c) resided in one of ten Illinois counties targeted for the intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

• left residential treatment prior to the seventh day
• did not return to a target county at discharge
• showed evidence of cognitive impairment that interfered with understanding of study instruments, procedures, or the informed consent process
• were deemed dangerous to themselves or others during treatment
• were a ward of child protective services and inaccessible for the intervention
• met DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling
• were discharged to the state department of corrections
• were already participating in a treatment study