Group Psychotherapy for Adolescents With Substance Use

Background: Substance abuse among children and adolescents is an important public health issue in Taiwan. Kaoshiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Taiwan Kaoshiung Juvenile and Family Court will cooperate in a counseling program for adolescents with illicit drug abusers in 2013, to perform a mandatory 10-week family-based group psychotherapy. Aims: This study aims (1) to investigate the effectiveness of the family-based group psychotherapy for adolescents with illicit drug abusers and their parents; (2) to identify whether the counseling program is effective for preventing the adolescents from relapse of substance abuse. Expected Results: The investigators expect that (1) group psychotherapy may involve comprehensive benefits for adolescents with illicit drug abusers, by improving the changes in adolescents' substance-craving symptoms and behavioral problems, and reducing stress of their parents; (2) this counseling program is effective for preventing the adolescents from relapse of substance abuse; (3) the findings in this study will not only demonstrate empirical evidence of treatment effectiveness for adolescents with illicit drug abuse, but will also provide useful clues for future implementation of policy making.