Family-Based Intervention Program for Parents of Substance-Abusing Youth and Adolescents

Abstract

The use of drugs among adolescents/youth often results in a high degree of distress for the family members who live with them. This in turn can lead to a deterioration of mental (psychological) health, hindering any attempt to successfully cope with the situation. The goal of our research was to study the effect of the Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) program on parents of adolescents/young adult drug users. Study volunteers (n = 50) were parents from Valencia (Spain) that were divided into two groups. The experimental group (n = 25) was made up of parents whose sons and daughters exhibited problems with drug use and the constructed noncausal baseline group (n = 25) was made up of parents whose sons and daughters did not show any substance abuse problems. For both groups, self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), depression (BDI-II), anxiety (STAI), and anger (STAXI-II) were evaluated before and after the application of the CRAFT program. Results show a significant improvement in the experimental group's self-esteem, depression, and anger state and a decrease in negative moods. These changes in parents produce a positive effect on their substance-using sons and daughters: of the 25 participants, 15 contacted specialized addiction treatment resources for the first time.

The Effectiveness of Family-Based Treatment on Craving in Girl Students with Substance Abuse

“…The results of the graphical analysis, the reliable change index, and improvement percentage showed that family-based treatment reduced the craving for substance use by female adolescents. These findings are in line with the results of previous studies (9,14). Biestto Pons et al (14) showed that the family-based intervention program caused a significant improvement in self-esteem, depression, and anger state and decreased negative moods of adolescents.…”

“…Therefore, such participation is predictive of sustainable and satisfactory outcomes (9). According to recent research findings, family-based interventions have a significant effect on improving attitudes toward drugs in students with addicted parents (13), reducing depression and anger in the addicted adolescent (14), increasing self-efficacy and self-esteem, decreasing recurrence rate (15), and prevention of adolescent addiction and failure (12).…”

“…The community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) is a family-based treatment developed by Smith and Myers (2007), which has been effective for both adolescents who resist treatment initiation and for improving adolescent substance abuse (14). This program is the completed version of the community reinforcement approach (CRA).…”

Engaging the Family in the Care of Young Adults With Substance Use Disorders

“…Providing support to families can have a positive impact on engagement in care, even if the loved one is initially not ready for treatment. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) model teaches family members to engage loved ones who are not yet ready for behavior change and, importantly, does not rely on the involvement of the individual using alcohol or other drugs. The intervention has three goals: (1) help a loved one move toward treatment, (2) reduce substance use if treatment is not an option, and (3) improve the wellbeing of the engaged family members.…”

Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado Rasgo (STAI): análisis psicométrico y funcionamiento en una muestra de drogodependientes y controles

“…En un estudio con 68 pacientes, Hearon et al (2011) encontraron que las mujeres con niveles elevados de ansiedad son más propensas a consumir sedantes que los hombres con los mismos niveles. Por otra parte, si se analiza la ansiedad en relación con el tratamiento de deshabituación, algunos autores observan cómo los niveles de ansiedad son mayores antes de comenzar el tratamiento para la deshabituación de sustancias que cuando este ha finalizado (Marqueta, Jiménez-Muro, Beamonte, Gargallo, & Nerín, 2010); el mismo efecto se produce en la familia (Bisetto, González, & Botella, 2016).…”