Effective Family-Based Interventions for Adolescents With Substance Use Problems: A Systematic Review

Treatment components of five interventions were consistent with a majority of guidelines for effective treatment, and MDFT demonstrated clinically significant changes in substance use and large effect sizes at posttreatment and follow-up.

Abstract

Objective: This article is a systematic review identifying effective family-based interventions for adolescent substance use problems. Method: A substantive review of each intervention is conducted using guidelines for effective treatment for substance use problems. Additionally, a methodological review of each study is done using criteria for empirically validated treatments. Results: Treatment components of five interventions—Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), Family Behavior Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and Multisystemic Treatment—were consistent with a majority of guidelines for effective treatment. Notable exceptions include no aftercare and poor treatment retention. MDFT and BSFT met criteria of probably efficacious treatment, whereas the other interventions represented promising treatments. Moreover, MDFT demonstrated clinically significant changes in substance use and large effect sizes at posttreatment and follow-up. Conclusion: To increase provision of effective adolescent substance abuse treatment, social workers should use these research findings to guide implementation.