What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Common treatments for adolescent substance abuse include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and family or parental involvement therapies. Mindfulness techniques, such as those studied in the Parenting Mindfully trial, work by enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation, reducing stress, and improving coping skills. These mechanisms are crucial for adolescents as they help manage triggers and cravings, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve overall mental health. By involving parents and improving parenting skills, these treatments also create a supportive home environment, which is essential for the adolescent's recovery and long-term abstinence.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for adolescent substance abuse that incorporate mindfulness techniques, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness meditation, generally have minimal side effects. These treatments focus on increasing awareness and self-regulation, which can lead to improved stress management and reduced substance use. However, some individuals may experience initial discomfort, increased anxiety, or emotional distress as they become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. These side effects are typically mild and decrease with continued practice.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs mentioned in the provided context for the treatment of adolescent substance abuse. However, mindfulness techniques, such as those studied in the Parenting Mindfully trial, are being explored as complementary therapies. These techniques focus on reducing stress and improving parenting skills, which can indirectly support substance abuse treatment by enhancing self-regulation and coping mechanisms in adolescents.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to Parenting Mindfully for adolescent substance abuse patients include: 1) Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which has been effective in treating substance use disorders through structured, goal-oriented sessions. 2) Motivational Interviewing, which helps adolescents explore and resolve ambivalence about substance use. 3) Family-Based Interventions, which involve family members in the treatment process to improve communication and support. 4) Biofeedback and relaxation techniques, which can help manage stress and reduce cravings. 5) Digital and mobile health interventions, such as apps and web-based programs, which provide accessible and engaging support for behavior change.

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Mindful Parenting for Reducing Stress

N/A

Recruiting

Research Sponsored by George Mason University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be younger than 18 years old

Must not have

Diagnosis of intellectual disability for adolescent

Lifetime substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis for adolescent

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 2 years

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing two programs for highly stressed parents of early adolescents. One program teaches mindfulness to help parents stay calm, while the other provides general parenting tips. The goal is to see which program better reduces stress and improves parenting.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for families with an adolescent aged 12-14 experiencing high stress. One caregiver must show significant stress and both the teen and at least one parent need to speak English well enough for surveys. Families can't join if the teen has intellectual disabilities, psychosis, or a past substance use disorder; or if any family member currently has untreated substance abuse (except tobacco) or active, untreated suicidality.

What is being tested?

The study compares two programs: Parenting Mindfully (PM) and Parent Education (PE). It aims to see which is more effective in reducing parenting stress and preventing adolescent substance abuse. Parents are randomly assigned to either PM or PE intervention groups.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves behavioral interventions rather than medications, traditional side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort when discussing personal issues during sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability.

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I have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder in my lifetime.

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I or my child currently have untreated suicidal thoughts.

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I have been diagnosed with psychosis as a teenager.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 2 years

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~2 years

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 2 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Adolescent psychological symptoms

Adolescent substance use

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Parenting Mindfully (PM) InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

PM is an group based 8 week mindfulness intervention for parents.

Group II: Parent Education (PE) InterventionActive Control1 Intervention

PE is a group based 8 week educational intervention for parents that teaches parents about adolescent development.

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for adolescent substance abuse include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and family or parental involvement therapies. Mindfulness techniques, such as those studied in the Parenting Mindfully trial, work by enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation, reducing stress, and improving coping skills. These mechanisms are crucial for adolescents as they help manage triggers and cravings, reduce impulsive behaviors, and improve overall mental health. By involving parents and improving parenting skills, these treatments also create a supportive home environment, which is essential for the adolescent's recovery and long-term abstinence.

The contribution of mindfulness to outpatient substance use disorder treatment in Brazil: a preliminary study.Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement versus CBT for co-occurring substance dependence, traumatic stress, and psychiatric disorders: Proximal outcomes from a pragmatic randomized trial.Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population.