Cognitive-behavioral intervention for depressed, substance-abusing adolescents: development and pilot testing.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a cognitive-behavioral treatment for depressed, substance-abusing adolescents, determine its feasibility, and test its association with symptomatic improvement.


METHODS
Based on the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions for either adolescent depression or substance abuse, an integrated group and family therapy intervention was developed for adolescents with both problems. The developers treated a group of six adolescents and families, and then trained experienced therapists to deliver the treatment to a second group of seven. Adolescents were 14 to 18 years of age. Measures of depression and substance abuse were collected before, during, and after treatment.


RESULTS
High retention in treatment and attendance at sessions supported feasibility. Parent interviews demonstrated significant improvement in adolescent substance abuse, and adolescent measures demonstrated significant improvement in both domains.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrated outpatient cognitive-behavioral intervention is feasible and associated with improvement for depressed, substance-abusing adolescents. Controlled efficacy studies are needed. Additional treatment modalities will be required for a proportion of these adolescents.
Curry
John F
JF
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. curry005@mc.duke.edu
Wells
Karen C
KC
Lochman
John E
JE
Craighead
W Edward
WE
Nagy
Paul D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*