Integrated Treatment of Marijuana Abuse for HIV+ Youth
HIV Infections
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for HIV Infections focused on measuring Substance Abuse, Adolescent community reinforcement approach, Adolescent Risk Behavior Assessment, Child and Adolescent Services Assessment, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale, Individual behavior therapy, Individual cognitive problem solving, Motivational enhancement therapy, HIV-Positive Youth With Substance Abuse, Complementary Therapies
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adolescents between the ages of 16-24 years (inclusive) at the time of informed consent/assent as determined by medical record review or verbal verification from referring professional
- HIV-infected and aware of their status as documented by medical record review or verbal verification from referring professional
- Receives services at one of the three participating ATN clinic site or their community partners
- A score of 2 or greater on the CRAFFT indicating possible alcohol or marijuana use problem or abuse
- Alcohol and/or Marijuana Use or Abuse Disorder as indicated by the SSPQ-X
- Appropriate for an outpatient or intensive outpatient level of care in accordance with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry practice parameters as decided by site mental health provider in consultation with Drs. Brown and Esposito-Smythers
- English-speaking
- Ability and willingness to provide informed consent/assent for study participation
- Satisfactorily understands the nature of the study and the informed consent process as documented by the Consent Form Comprehension Assessment Questionnaire
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of serious psychiatric symptoms (e.g., active hallucinations, thought disorder)
- Visibly distraught (e.g., suicidal, homicidal, exhibiting violent behavior)
- Intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time of study entry
Sites / Locations
- Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles
- Mount Sinai Medical Center
- Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
1
2
3
Focus groups with adolescents with SA (Substance Abuse) will be conducted at each site (one group with 5 to 6 adolescents per site) to provide information on the areas of the intervention in need of adaptation in order to reflect the context of HIV infection.
The first intervention trial will enroll 9 participants (3 participants per site). Exit interviews of participants will assess acceptability, feasibility, and relevance of the intervention. Quantitative assessments pre and post intervention using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) will document immediate changes in substance use, sexual risk, and adherence to medical care. Additional qualitative feedback from interviews with mental health providers and study coordinators will address feasibility, acceptability, and relevance of the intervention and its methods.
The revised intervention will be implemented with 20 participants (6 to 8 at each site). Exit interviews with subjects and feedback from mental health providers and study coordinators will provide the same qualitative information as in the first intervention trial. Quantitative data on participant outcomes such as substance use, sexual risk, and adherence to medical care will be collected pre, post and 3 month post intervention through ACASI.