Computer-delivered Psychosocial Intervention for Adolescent Substance Use Disorders

Substance use among youth remains a major public health problem. About half of all 12th
graders have tried an illicit drug and over 72% of this same age group have used alcohol.
Rates of abuse of prescription opioids among youth are estimated to have increased about
542% in the past decade. Although effective substance abuse treatment programs for youth
exist, they are currently of limited reach. Only 1 in 10 adolescents who need substance
abuse treatment receive any care. An interactive, computer-delivered psychosocial
(skills-training) intervention has the potential to address these challenges, as it allows
for complex interventions to be delivered at a low cost, without increasing demands on staff
time or training needs. It may also be highly acceptable to youth and enable widespread
dissemination of science-based treatment in a manner that ensures fidelity.

In this project, we plan to develop and evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy
of a web-based, skills training program for adolescents with substance use disorders. The
content of this program will be based in a model of psychosocial substance abuse treatment
for youth that has been shown to be effective in prior scientific research. It will be
provided via an interactive, delivery system that employs informational technologies that
are effective in promoting relevant knowledge and skills. Adolescents in substance abuse
treatment will help shape the development of this program. To our knowledge, the planned
program will be the first interactive program to provide comprehensive, psychosocial
substance abuse treatment to adolescents via computer-based technology.

This research will contribute new information relevant to increasing the delivery of
science-based psychosocial treatment to adolescents with substance use disorders in a manner
that is cost-effective and which may promote the adoption of effective treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of non-nicotine alcohol or drug use disorder

- English speaking

- Parental consent to participate for adolescents under the age of 18.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders that require intensive level of services,
such as active psychosis, active mania or active suicidality

- Plan to move out of the area within the next 3 months

- Insufficient ability to understand and provide informed consent/assent to participate

- Lack sufficient ability to use English to participate in the consent/assent process,
the interventions or assessments