Evaluation of RRFT for Co-occurring SUD and PTSD Among Teens

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · May 17, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping teenagers who are dealing with both substance use problems and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of difficult experiences in their past. Researchers have found that treating these issues separately can be tough for teens and their families, so they are testing a new approach called Risk Reduction through Family Therapy (RRFT). This treatment aims to tackle both substance use and PTSD symptoms together, rather than one at a time, to see if it leads to better long-term outcomes.

To participate in this trial, teens aged 13-18 who have experienced a traumatic event, such as violence or abuse, and are currently facing substance use issues may be eligible. Participants will receive either the new treatment (RRFT) or the usual care and will be monitored over time to see how well each approach works. It's worth noting that caregivers will also be involved in the process. The trial is currently recruiting participants in Denver, Colorado, and aims to better understand how effective and acceptable this new treatment is in real-world settings.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Aged 13-19 years;
• • 2. Experienced lifetime DSM-V PTSD Criteria A-defined potentially traumatic event, such as interpersonal violence, with memory of incident(s), such as child sexual abuse (forced or unwanted vaginal or anal penetration by an object, finger, or penis; oral sex; touching of the respondent's breasts or genitalia; or respondents' touching of another person's genitalia); child physical abuse (nonaccidental physical injury to the child or any action that results in a physical impairment of the child), witnessed domestic violence (exposure to conduct by a household member against another household member that involves attempted or completed assault or murder); witnessed community violence; dating violence; as well as disasters, accidents, etc.;
• • 3. Five or more current DSM-V PTSD symptoms as assessed on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS)/UCLA PTSD Index;
• • 4. Substance use, defined as alcohol or non-tobacco drug use, in the past 28 days prior to study screening per self-report. If in a restrictive setting for the 28 days prior to study screening, substance use will be anchored to use prior to entering restrictive setting;
• • 5. A current (past year) non-nicotine substance use disorder (SUD) as assessed on the K-SADS;
• • 6. English-speaking.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Presence of Pervasive Developmental Disability or Moderate/Severe Mental Retardation or other cognitive limitation that would preclude meaningful engagement in RRFT or cognitive-behavioral therapy
• • 2. Actively suicidal/homicidal;
• • 3. Active psychosis.