Possible effectiveness of intervention using a self-teaching workbook in adolescent drug abusers detained in a...

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the possible effectiveness of the juvenile version of the Serigaya Methamphetamine Relapse Prevention Program (SMARPP-Jr.) self-teaching workbook we developed for relapse prevention of drug abuse depends on the severity of the subject's drug-related problems.

Subjects were 85 adolescent drug abusers who were detained in a juvenile classification home. We compared changes between the subjects' scores on rating scales administered both before and after interventions with the self-teaching workbook, and we examined associations between the effectiveness of the intervention and the severity of the subjects' drug-related problems.

Regardless of the severity of their drug-related problems, the subjects' rating scale scores were significantly different after the intervention, which suggests that use of the workbook increased their awareness of the problems caused by drug dependence and their motivation to obtain treatment. However, use of the workbook did not significantly change their confidence in their capacity to resist drug craving.

Although the self-teaching workbook is a convenient intervention tool that can increase subject awareness and motivation for treatment, it is likely that continuous community-based support systems are required to prevent relapse.