Self-directed programs effectively addresses substance use
January 10, 2022Families seeking help for children with substance use issues may benefit from a program called Substance Use Prevention for Girls. The program made a substantial impact, showing positive outcomes on all relevant measures. Specifically, intervention girls used less alcohol, less cannabis and fewer medications for non-medical purposes at one-year follow-up compared to controls. The success of the program may be linked to the fact that nearly 100% of all mother-daughter pairs completed all nine program modules. Another program, MobileCoach Alcohol, significantly reduced binge drink among youth by the end of the three-month follow-up. Specifically, the odds of not engaging in risky alcohol use were 1.6 times higher for youth who received MobileCoach Alcohol compared to controls. For more information see Vol. 14, No. 1 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.