Family and Social Intervention for Young People

Summary

Research evidence shows that there is a high prevalence of substance use among young people in the UK. Early onset and high levels of use are associated with a range of negative outcomes, including increased risk of later problematic use and dependence. A growing body of research has identified family interventions to be effective in treating young people's substance use problems. However, despite this evidence, takeup of family based approaches, at least in the UK, has been low. A key factor appears to be the resource intensive nature of many family interventions, making them difficult to implement and deliver in many service settings, especially in the context of substantial cuts to drug and alcohol services for young people (1). Another potential barrier may be the cultural adaptation of approaches developed in the USA to a UK setting. There is growing awareness of the need to adapt evidence-based treatments to different cultural groups and settings in order to ensure successful implementation (2,3,4).

Following on from developmental and adaptation work, this study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of recruiting young people to specifically developed family and network based intervention. In addition the feasibility of training staff from existing young people addiction services to deliver this intervention will be explored and treatment retention will be assessed. Qualitative interviews will elicit the participants' views on the acceptability of the intervention and their experiences of both it and the study process.

Conditions

• Alcohol Misuse
• Drug Misuse

Interventions

OTHER

Youth Social Behaviour and Network Therapy

The Y-SBNT will be delivered according to the developed purpose-designed therapy manual. Participants randomised to Y-SBNT will be offered six, 50 minute SBNT sessions for over a maximum period of 12 weeks. Where consent is obtained, sessions will audio-recorded and reviewed by the research team to ensure fidelity with the YSBNT manual and principles of practice. Using the identification of the social network of the young person conducted in the first session as a platform, subsequent core strategies of the adapted YSBNT approach include motivational techniques, improving communication and coping mechanisms, and crucially given the nature of substance misuse, developing a network-based relapse management plan. Participants will be given the opportunity to invite members of their network to the treatment sessions. The therapeutic approach also has scope to address client-focussed elective areas, for example, educational requirements.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of York

  collaborator OTHER

• Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

  collaborator OTHER

• National Institute for Health Research, United Kingdom

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

  collaborator OTHER

• Newcastle University

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Birmingham

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Alex G Copello, PhD · University of Birmingham

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

12 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-05-31

Primary Completion

2015-09-30

Completion

2015-09-30