Motivation and Skills for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol/Ethanol (THC/ETOH+) Teens in Jail (SMART)

May 13, 2019 updated by: Lynda Stein, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island

Prison Study: Motivation and Skills for THC/ETOH+ Teens in Jail

This study will focus on treating substance abusing incarcerated teens using individually administered Motivational Interviewing (MI) followed by group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). The control group receives individualized Relaxation Training (RT) followed by group Treatment as Usual (TU). Currently, there is little research regarding effective group treatments for incarcerated teens and this study will address this gap in our knowledge base. We seek to reduce substance use and associated risky behaviors post-release (including driving under the influence, risky sexual behaviors, etc.)

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Detailed Description

This proposal is in response to RFA-DA-04-008, Group Treatment for Individuals in Drug Abuse or Alcoholism Treatment. Of particular interest to the agencies are group therapies for Conduct Disordered adolescents, reducing the spread of infectious disease, and mechanisms of action. This proposal targets these areas of interest. This study will focus on treating substance abusing incarcerated teens using 2 individually administered Motivational Interviewing (MI) sessions followed by 10 group sessions of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). MI is conceptualized as preparation for group CBT. The control group receives individualized Relaxation Training (RT) followed by group Treatment as Usual (TU). Currently, t here is little research regarding effective group treatments for incarcerated teens and this study will address this gap in our knowledge base.

In this proposed randomized trial, a one-way design (MI/CBT vs RT/TU) will be used to determine whether MI/CBT enhances group therapy participation and reduces substance use and related problems (such as crime, injuries and unprotected sex) post discharge in substance-involved juvenile delinquents. RT/TU is based on the 12-step model and includes psycho-educational components. Participant are followed during incarceration and for 6 months post incarceration. Primary outcome variables include alcohol and marijuana use, as well as related behaviors (illegal activities, sex or injuries while drunk or high). It is hypothesized that in comparison to teens in RT/TU, youth receiving MI/CBT will participate more in therapy (according to teen, facility staff, and counselor ratings) and will show lower levels of substance use and related problems after discharge.

Frequently, substance abuse treatment is unavailable to youths in the juvenile justice system, and when treatment is available, it may be provided in group format using untested therapies. A motivation/skills-based intervention (delivered in group format) may prove efficacious in enhancing motivation and in reducing substance abuse and related problems. This study extends previous research by rigorously evaluating group treatment for incarcerated teens. We will examine processes contributing to the efficacy of group MI/CBT, and the influence of race and ethnicity on treatment effects. The development of effective interventions for substance using juvenile offenders has the potential to reduce substance abuse and crime in this population.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

205

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Rhode Island
      • Cranston, Rhode Island, United States, 02920
        • Rhode Island Training School

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years to 19 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adolescents will be eligible if in the year prior to incarceration they either a) drank alcohol or used marijuana at least once per month or b) binge-drank (> 5 for boys, > 4 for girls) during any two week period; or they drank or used marijuana in the four weeks before the offense for which they were incarcerated; or they used alcohol or marijuana in the four weeks before they were incarcerated.

Exclusion Criteria:

Those teens sentenced for less than 4 months or greater than 12 months, those who are younger than 14 years or older than 19 years, and those for whom have inability to consent/assent (example, language barrier) are not obtained will be excluded from participation.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: MI/CBT
Motivational Interviewing followed by Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Motivational Interviewing followed by Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Other Names:
  • Motivation Interviewing,Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Experimental: RT/TU
Relaxation Training followed by Treatment as Usual
Relaxation Training followed by Treatment as Usual
Other Names:
  • Relaxation Training, Treatment as Usual

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Alcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per Week
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post release
using Time-Line Follow-back, we collected average # of drinks per week for a 3 month period at Baseline, 3 months and 6 months post release
Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post release
Marijuana Use
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 month post release
using Time-Line Follow-back, we collected average number of joints per smoking day
Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 month post release
Crime: General Predatory Aggression
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post release
using the Misbehaviors Questionnaire, we collect 12 items that assess the average number of times crimes involving predatory aggression were committed at Baseline, 3 months and 6 month post release.
Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post release

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Lynda Stein, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 2004

Primary Completion (Actual)

September 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

September 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 23, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 23, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

July 25, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 15, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 13, 2019

Last Verified

April 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • DA018851-02
  • R01DA018851 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

With appropriate request and procedure.

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Alcohol Drinking

Clinical Trials on MI/CBT

3
Subscribe