Oregon Research Institute

Group Community Reinforcement Training for Parents of Treatment-Elusive Youth

Ninety-two percent of adolescents abusing or dependent on illicit drugs do not receive treatment. This study is designed to teach family members behavioral and communication skills to reduce use and encourage treatment, an innovative strategy that has both short and long term positive implications for public health.

Details

Parents are often the first to feel the negative effects of their youth’s problematic drug use, including physical, financial, relationship, emotional, and health consequences. Researchers have modified an intervention specifically designed to mobilize family members and concerned others as resources for motivating resistant drug abusers (ages 15-20) into treatment. The study team will work initially with parents/guardians in an individual or group setting who are concerned about their teen’s drug use and motivated to seek help. This is an innovative strategy that has both short and long term positive implications for public health.