The Cannabis Youth Treatment (CYT) Study: main findings from two randomized trials

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2004 Oct;27(3):197-213. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2003.09.005.

Abstract

This article presents the main outcome findings from two inter-related randomized trials conducted at four sites to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of five short-term outpatient interventions for adolescents with cannabis use disorders. Trial 1 compared five sessions of Motivational Enhancement Therapy plus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MET/CBT) with a 12-session regimen of MET and CBT (MET/CBT12) and another that included family education and therapy components (Family Support Network [FSN]). Trial II compared the five-session MET/CBT with the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) and Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT). The 600 cannabis users were predominately white males, aged 15-16. All five CYT interventions demonstrated significant pre-post treatment during the 12 months after random assignment to a treatment intervention in the two main outcomes: days of abstinence and the percent of adolescents in recovery (no use or abuse/dependence problems and living in the community). Overall, the clinical outcomes were very similar across sites and conditions; however, after controlling for initial severity, the most cost-effective interventions were MET/CBT5 and MET/CBT12 in Trial 1 and ACRA and MET/CBT5 in Trial 2. It is possible that the similar results occurred because outcomes were driven more by general factors beyond the treatment approaches tested in this study; or because of shared, general helping factors across therapies that help these teens attend to and decrease their connection to cannabis and alcohol.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcoholism / economics
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation
  • Ambulatory Care / economics*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / economics
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Family Therapy / economics
  • Female
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / economics
  • Male
  • Marijuana Abuse / economics
  • Marijuana Abuse / rehabilitation*
  • Motivation
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychotherapy, Brief / economics*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Reinforcement, Social
  • United States