Whiteriver

Researchers are evaluating Bright Horizons, a culturally adapted program developed in partnership with The White Mountain Apache Tribe and Johns Hopkins University, to see if it can reduce binge substance use among Native American adolescents aged 12 to 17 who live on or near the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Bright Horizons is a brief intervention focused on teaching emotion regulation, coping skills, problem solving, and goal setting to help reduce alcohol and other substance use. The study aims to understand how this program affects adolescents following recent binge substance use events. Participants will receive the Bright Horizons intervention, which is delivered by Research Program Assistants and includes lessons on binge substance use and strategies to improve coping and decision-making. There is also a control group receiving case management, considered a placebo condition. Participants answer questions about their substance use, family and peer relationships, emotions, and behaviors at enrollment, 4 weeks later, and again 4 weeks after that. After all intervention participants have enrolled, control group members will then receive the Bright Horizons program. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed at three time points: baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, and 8 weeks post-intervention. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol use using the Timeline Followback method and gather information on emotional and behavioral factors. The study includes ongoing monitoring of participants' experiences and progress, with the total active participation lasting about 8 weeks after the intervention.