Study on Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Alcohol and Cannabis Use Among Diverse Teens Ages 12 to 17 in Primary Care

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a brief motivational interviewing intervention called Chat to address alcohol and cannabis use among diverse teenagers aged 12 to 17. This study compares the Chat intervention with enhanced usual care, which involves providing an informational brochure, to understand changes in substance use behaviors over time. Participants who screen at risk using the six-item CRAFFT screening tool at partner clinics will be invited to join the study. After completing online consent and a baseline survey, teens are randomly assigned to either receive the Chat intervention through a virtual or in-person visit or get enhanced usual care with an informational brochure. Follow-up surveys are conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months after the baseline to monitor outcomes. During the study, teens will complete web-based surveys assessing changes in frequency and consequences of alcohol and cannabis use, time spent around peers, motivation to change use, and behavioral health care service use. Participants receive electronic gift cards after each survey. The study runs from April 2025 to February 2029, with recruitment from month 9 to 42 and follow-ups continuing through month 53, providing ongoing monitoring of teen substance use and related behaviors.

Effectiveness of Brief Intervention in Primary Care for Diverse Young People (Chat)