Development and Testing of Adolescent Twelve-Step Facilitation

Development and Testing of Adolescent Twelve-Step Facilitation

This study is the first to develop and test in a randomized experimental design the efficacy of an integrated 12-step facilitation intervention tailored for young people. In the first phase of the study, the investigators are developing and revising a preliminary manual for the two sessions individually-delivered Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) component and subsequent 8 session group-delivered Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) component which will integrate Twelve-step Facilitation (TSF). Forty adolescents each will complete the preliminary integrated TSF protocol. In the second phase of the study, the investigators will compare integrated TSF (iTSF) to standard treatment (MET/CBT) in a randomized experimental design for adolescent substance use disorder with 60 adolescents. As a result, the investigators will examine potential mechanisms that may underlie the efficacy of iTSF in improving alcohol and other drug use outcomes. The investigators will test group differences on potential mechanisms of change (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous attendance and involvement) and whether these variables are associated with substance use outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Young people between the ages of 14 and 21 that meet criteria for alcohol or other drug abuse or dependence.

Exclusion Criteria: Youth

• with an active psychotic disorders
• who are in another substance use disorder (SUD) treatment program or receiving SUD related psychotherapy that could conflict with our treatment
• with a history of severe or complicated withdrawal (e.g., alcohol seizure history)
• who may be using alcohol/drugs prior to study entry at levels likely to result in severe withdrawal complications, in the absence of any history
• taking addiction treatment medications (e.g., Buprenorphine)
• who cannot speak English because the treatment and assessment instruments will be conducted in English