NCJ Number
220788
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 26 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 517-523
Date Published
September 2007
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a brief cognitive-behavioral skills (BCBS) training program for addressing comorbidity (mental health problems co-occurring with drug/alcohol abuse) within two programs of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment for youth in Australia.
Abstract
The BCBS training was found to have a positive impact on the knowledge, skills, and confidence of trainees and was perceived to be relevant and appropriate for youth with co-occurring mental disorders and AOD abuse. These findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility and effectiveness of the BCBS training program for workers within the youth AOD sector. The BCBS intervention for co-occurring depression/anxiety and substance use was developed specifically for this project, given the lack of existing suitable interventions and training programs available for addressing comorbidity among AOD-abusing youth. The intervention was based on a youth version of the Self-Help for Alcohol/Other Drug Use and Depression (SHADE), a 10-session integrated cognitive-behavioral intervention for co-occurring disorders. SHADE has been found to reduce levels of depression and AOD use while improving quality of life and general functioning of adults over 12 months. The BCBS intervention was first piloted by a trained clinical psychologist working in one of the youth AOD services, in order to determine its suitability and acceptability. AOD workers then attended the 2-day BCBS training workshop. Evaluation of the BCBS training occurred before the training and 6 months after the training. 4 tables and 30 references