Field Trial of a Relapse Prevention Program for Adolescents Receiving Substance Use Treatment

Navigating My Journey (NmJ): A Relapse Prevention Program for Adolescents -- Field Trial

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the new, Navigating my Journey program for adolescents receiving treatment in an outpatient substance abuse center.

The primary hypotheses are that, relative to the control condition, Navigating my Journey will be associated with significantly higher motivation, higher self-efficacy, improved relapse coping skills, and lower substance use. The secondary hypotheses are that, relative to the control condition, Navigating my Journey will be associated with increased therapeutic alliances with counselors.

The randomized, control trial will compare clients receiving treatment in an outpatient substance abuse center in the following two conditions -- (1) Experimental: Navigating my Journey (includes 12 core lessons and 8 supplemental lessons); and (2) Attention Control (treatment as usual plus online health information) -- using a longitudinal design.

Inclusion Criteria:

• currently meeting with a counselor in the study at least twice per month during the next 3 months
• age 13 to 21
• ability to read and speak English
• have drugs and/or alcohol as their primary or secondary substance used
• have completed detox as necessary
• an active email account.