Treatment Study Comparing Fathers for Change and Individual Drug Counseling for Fathers with Substance Misuse and Family Violence

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating Fathers for Change F4C compared to Individual Drug Counseling IDC in a randomized controlled trial involving 280 fathers enrolled in substance use treatment within community or veterans healthcare settings. The study aims to show F4Cs effectiveness in reducing substance misuse and family violence at the end of treatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. It also explores how improved emotion regulation may help reduce these issues within the F4C program. F4C is delivered over 18 sessions, focusing on fatherhood as motivation, emotional awareness and regulation, co-parent communication, and restorative parenting skills. IDC, also delivered in 18 sessions, is an individual substance use treatment based on the disease model and 12-step recovery philosophy, without emphasis on fatherhood or co-parenting. Both programs provide behavioral interventions aimed at addressing substance misuse and family violence among fathers. Participants will be assessed for substance misuse and family violence weekly during the 18-week treatment and at weeks 19, 32, and 45 post-treatment. Emotion regulation and thought patterns will also be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-ups. The study includes regular assessments and monitoring to track changes in behavior and emotional regulation throughout the trial period, which runs until December 2030.

Substance Misuse and Family Violence Treatment Fathers