The proposed study will ascertain the effectiveness of promising Behavior Therapy techniques in reducing the use of abused drugs by youth. The component treatment procedures will consist of behavioral procedures found to be generally effective as well as procedures showing promise in uncontrolled studies of drug abuse itself. The major procedures will consist of family reinforcement procedures, behavioral contracting, positive communication training, over-correction, home-based token economy, social skills training, and covert sensitization. The abused drugs will include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, morphine, PCP, barbituates, and amphetamines. The study participants will be drug abusing youth who will be randomly assigned to receive either the Behavior Therapy or a more traditional supportive discussion counseling. Drug usage data will be obtained by direct chemical assay procedures prior to, during, and for an extended follow-up after treatment. Positive results would demonstrate, in a controlled treatment outcome study, a general method of treating youth drug abuse.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA005295-03
Application #
2117547
Study Section
Drug Abuse Clinical and Behavioral Research Review Committee (DACB)
Project Start
1989-06-01
Project End
1993-05-31
Budget Start
1991-06-01
Budget End
1993-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Nova Southeastern University
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
002971240
City
Fort Lauderdale
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33314