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Cognitive behavioral treatment for suicidal alcohol abusing adolescents: development and pilot testing
Christianne Esposito-Smythers1, Anthony Spirito, Rebecca Uth
1Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Christianne_Esposito@brown.edu
The American Journal on Addictions
|December 22, 2006
Summary
This study piloted cognitive behavioral treatment for adolescents with alcohol use disorder and suicidality, finding it feasible and acceptable. The intervention showed symptomatic improvement in alcohol use and suicidal ideation for all participants.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Co-occurring alcohol use disorder and suicidality in adolescents present significant treatment challenges.
- Integrated treatment approaches are needed to address these complex conditions concurrently.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot a cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) protocol for adolescents with co-occurring alcohol use disorder (AUD) and suicidality.
- To examine the association between the CBT protocol and symptomatic improvement.
- To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the integrated treatment.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month acute treatment phase, followed by maintenance and booster phases, with case management services.
- Concurrent pharmacotherapy was permitted.
- Measures of alcohol use and suicidality were collected at intake, end of acute treatment, and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Five of six families completed the protocol, indicating high feasibility.
- All participants demonstrated decreases in alcohol use and suicidal ideation.
- Two participants with prior suicide attempts re-attempted but improved with continued treatment.
Conclusions:
- Integrated outpatient CBT for alcohol-abusing suicidal adolescents is feasible and acceptable.
- The treatment is associated with symptomatic improvement in both alcohol use and suicidality.
- High retention rates and positive therapeutic alliance support the intervention's viability.
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