An open trial investigation of Treatnet Family among adolescents with substance use problems

Anja Busse; Wataru Kashino; Sanita Suhartono; Narendra Narotama; Dicky Pelupessy; Irwanto; Cecilia A Essau

doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100358

An open trial investigation of Treatnet Family among adolescents with substance use problems

Addict Behav Rep. 2021 May 27:14:100358. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100358. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Authors

Anja Busse¹, Wataru Kashino¹, Sanita Suhartono¹, Narendra Narotama², Dicky Pelupessy³, Irwanto⁴, Cecilia A Essau⁵

Affiliations

¹ Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, Drug Prevention and Health Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria.
² United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Country Office Indonesia, Indonesia.
³ Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
⁴ Center on Social Innovation and Public Health Policy, Atma Jaya Indonesian Catholic University, Jakarta, Indonesia.
⁵ Department of Psychology, Roehampton University, London, UK.

Abstract

Introduction: Studies that used evidence-based family therapies have demonstrated significant effects in reducing adolescent drug use and delinquent behaviours, and in reducing comorbid mental health problems. However, almost all these studies were conducted in high-income countries. The overall aim of the present study was to explore the effect of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) Treatnet Family (TF) in reducing substance consumption, drug-related activities, reducing mental health problems, and in improving family interaction among adolescents with substance-use problems.

Method: Nineteen adolescents who had been referred to a community counselling clinic because of substance-use problems and their parents/family members participated in TF. They completed a set of questionnaires to measure substance use, family functioning, mental health problems, and life events at pre-, post-intervention as well as at a one month-follow-up assessment.

Results: TF had a positive significant impact in reducing alcohol use among adolescents with substance-use problems. The number of adolescents who smoked cigarettes and marijuana, and used amphetamines reduced across time. After participating in TF, the adolescents were involved with significantly fewer friends who consumed substances and participated in antisocial behaviours. Furthermore, parent/family member reported a significant decrease in mental health problems, and positive changes in adolescent's behaviours.

Conclusion: The TF had a positive impact in reducing alcohol consumption and problems related to substance consumption among adolescents with substance-use problems when delivered by practitioners in routine community settings.

Keywords: Adolescents; Family-based intervention; Substance use; Treatnet Family.