Skip to content

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

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

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00506753
Acronym
SMART
Enrollment
205
Registered
2007-07-25
Start date
2004-09-30
Completion date
2011-09-30
Last updated
2019-05-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking, Marijuana Smoking

Keywords

substance abuse

Brief summary

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.)

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.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALMI/CBT

Motivational Interviewing followed by Cognitive Behavior Therapy

BEHAVIORALRT/SU

Relaxation Training followed by Treatment as Usual

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
CollaboratorNIH
University of Rhode Island
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 19 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

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.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Alcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekBaseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post releaseusing 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
Marijuana UseBaseline, 3 months post release and 6 month post releaseusing Time-Line Follow-back, we collected average number of joints per smoking day
Crime: General Predatory AggressionBaseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post releaseusing 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.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

6 participants withdrew or could not be located prior to treatment assignment.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
MI/CBT
Motivational Interviewing followed by Cognitive Behavior Therapy MI/CBT: Motivational Interviewing followed by Cognitive Behavior Therapy
100
RT/TU
Relaxation Training followed by Treatment as Usual RT/SU: Relaxation Training followed by Treatment as Usual
99
Total199

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up2115

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMI/CBTTotalRT/TU
Age, Continuous17.05 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.01
17.08 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.04
17.11 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.08
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
32 Participants79 Participants47 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
68 Participants120 Participants52 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
7 Participants16 Participants9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
6 Participants8 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
42 Participants81 Participants39 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
8 Participants14 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
3 Participants7 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants3 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
33 Participants70 Participants37 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
100 participants199 participants99 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
12 Participants20 Participants8 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
88 Participants179 Participants91 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 1000 / 99
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 1000 / 99
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 1000 / 99

Outcome results

Primary

Alcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per Week

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

Time frame: Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post release

Population: Individuals dropped out of the project over time, more people were analyzed at Baseline than at each Follow-up assessment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
MI/CBTAlcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekAverage # drinks per week at 6 months post release7.08 average # of drinks per weekStandard Deviation 13.69
MI/CBTAlcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekAverage # of drinks per week at Baseline11.16 average # of drinks per weekStandard Deviation 19.04
MI/CBTAlcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekAverage # of drinks per week 3 months post release5.16 average # of drinks per weekStandard Deviation 12.27
RT/TUAlcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekAverage # drinks per week at 6 months post release3.57 average # of drinks per weekStandard Deviation 7.57
RT/TUAlcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekAverage # of drinks per week at Baseline10.62 average # of drinks per weekStandard Deviation 17.02
RT/TUAlcohol Use, Average # of Drinks Per WeekAverage # of drinks per week 3 months post release3.86 average # of drinks per weekStandard Deviation 9.16
Primary

Crime: General Predatory Aggression

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.

Time frame: Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 months post release

Population: Due to project drop out more people were analyzed at baseline than at both follow up assessments.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
MI/CBTCrime: General Predatory Aggression6 month avg. # times of predatory aggression6.35 Average # of timesStandard Deviation 3.72
MI/CBTCrime: General Predatory Aggression3 month post avg. # times of predatory aggression2.13 Average # of timesStandard Deviation 2.69
MI/CBTCrime: General Predatory Aggression6 month post avg. # times of predatory aggression1.89 Average # of timesStandard Deviation 2.71
RT/TUCrime: General Predatory Aggression6 month avg. # times of predatory aggression1.92 Average # of timesStandard Deviation 2.41
RT/TUCrime: General Predatory Aggression3 month post avg. # times of predatory aggression1.92 Average # of timesStandard Deviation 2.41
RT/TUCrime: General Predatory Aggression6 month post avg. # times of predatory aggression1.44 Average # of timesStandard Deviation 2.03
Primary

Marijuana Use

using Time-Line Follow-back, we collected average number of joints per smoking day

Time frame: Baseline, 3 months post release and 6 month post release

Population: Individuals dropped out of the study over time, more people were analyzed at baseline than at follow up assessments

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
MI/CBTMarijuana Use# of joints per smoking day at baseline5.84 # of joints per smoking dayStandard Deviation 5.57
MI/CBTMarijuana Use# of joints per smoking day at 3 months2.52 # of joints per smoking dayStandard Deviation 2.37
MI/CBTMarijuana Use# of joints per smoking day at 6 months2.48 # of joints per smoking dayStandard Deviation 2.16
RT/TUMarijuana Use# of joints per smoking day at baseline4.98 # of joints per smoking dayStandard Deviation 4.25
RT/TUMarijuana Use# of joints per smoking day at 3 months2.48 # of joints per smoking dayStandard Deviation 2.49
RT/TUMarijuana Use# of joints per smoking day at 6 months2.95 # of joints per smoking dayStandard Deviation 3.71

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026