Parent SMART (Substance Misuse in Adolescents in Residential Treatment)

Launched by BROWN UNIVERSITY · Dec 22, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Parent SMART trial is studying a new program designed to help parents of teenagers who are undergoing treatment for substance use issues. Research shows that many adolescents relapse, or return to substance use, shortly after leaving treatment. This trial aims to see if providing parents with better skills and support can improve their children's outcomes after treatment. The program includes a computer program that teaches effective parenting strategies, along with online coaching sessions and a forum for parents to connect with experts and each other.

To participate in this study, adolescents must be aged 12 to 18, currently in residential treatment for substance use, and plan to live with their primary guardian after treatment. Parents or legal guardians must also be fluent in English or Spanish and have access to a smartphone with internet capability. Participants can expect to engage in assessments before the adolescent leaves treatment and will be part of a program aimed at improving family communication and reducing risky behaviors. This trial is currently recruiting participants and hopes to find effective ways to support both teens and their families during this challenging time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for Adolescents:
• • admitted to residential treatment due to concerns about frequency and/or severity of substance use
• • report alcohol and/or drug use in the past 90 days
• • be discharged to live with primary guardian
• • fluent in English or Spanish
• • willing and able to participate in a 2 hour interview prior to discharge from residential
• Exclusion Criteria for Adolescents:
• • does not report alcohol or drug use in the past 90 days
• • discharge plan does not include living with primary guardian
• • not fluent in English or Spanish
• • not willing or able to complete baseline interview
• Inclusion Criteria for Parents:
• • parent or legal guardian of adolescent aged 12-18 years inclusive, at project start
• • adolescent admitted to residential treatment due to concerns about frequency and/or severity of substance use
• • will be primary guardian living with adolescent after discharge from residential
• • fluent in English or Spanish
• • willing and able to complete the baseline assessment prior to the adolescent's discharge
• • access to a smartphone that can receive text messages and reliably access the internet
• Exclusion Criteria for Parents:
• • not legal guardian of adolescent or adolescent not aged between 12-18 years
• • adolescent not admitted to residential treatment due to substance use concerns
• • will not be living with adolescent after adolescent's discharge from residential
• • not fluent in English or Spanish
• • not willing or able to complete the baseline assessment prior to the adolescent's discharge
• • does not have access to a smartphone that can receive text messages and reliably access the internet