The East Tennessee Assertive Adolescent Family Treatment Program: A Three-Year Evaluation

Abstract

The Assertive Adolescent Family Treatment Program targeted adolescents defined as age 12 to 17 years and transition age youth (age 18–24) who were served by the Helen Ross McNabb Center Regional Mental Health System. Most of the participating individuals met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(IV-TR) criteria for substance abuse or substance dependence and co-occurring mental health disorder. Significant findings in the study included a decrease in illegal drug use, decrease in alcohol consumption, decrease in criminal activity, decrease in violent behaviors, and an increase in cognitive ability. Other findings indicated a decrease in risky sexual behaviors and an increase in participant interaction with supportive friends and family. This study indicates success of the Assertive Adolescent Family Treatment Program and the intervention models used. More research is needed in East Tennessee to generalize the findings and establish a stronger evidence base.

Keywords::

• Adolescents
• mental health
• substance abuse
• substance dependence
• co-occurring mental health disorder
• drug use, alcohol use, substance use disorder, Assertive Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), Assertive Continuing Care (ACC), substance abuse treatment, cultural competence

Funding

This research was funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant # TI020806.