Evaluating Caregiver Involvement in Primary Care-Based Brief Interventions for Adolescent Alcohol Use Problems

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the role of caregiver involvement in brief interventions for adolescents with mild alcohol use disorder (AUD) in primary care settings. This study focuses on U.S. teens aged 12 to 17, where alcohol is the most commonly used substance but few receive needed interventions. The study aims to find out whether no caregiver involvement, a single live caregiver session, or an online self-paced parenting program best reduces alcohol use and improves other related outcomes such as substance use and psychosocial functioning. The study compares three intervention approaches using Teen Intervene (TI), a brief motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy program designed for youth. One group receives only youth-focused TI sessions, the second group receives youth sessions plus a single live caregiver session, and the third group receives youth sessions with access to an online caregiver tool called Family Check-Up Online (FCU). Each intervention is delivered in primary care, with sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Caregiver involvement varies to assess impact on treatment outcomes. Participants will attend multiple assessment points including baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. Researchers will measure alcohol use frequency and amount using the Timeline Follow-Back method, as well as other substance use, substance use disorder symptoms, and psychosocial functioning through surveys and interviews. The study also examines factors influencing response to treatment and implementation challenges. The total participation period spans one year with regular follow-up evaluations.

Evaluating Caregiver Involvement in Primary Care-Based Brief Interventions for Adolescent Alcohol Use Problems