Evaluating Caregiver Involvement in Primary Care-Based Brief Interventions for Adolescent Alcohol Use Problems

Brief Interventions for Adolescent Alcohol Use

Z
Zachary Adams

Primary Investigator

Enrolling By Invitation
12 years - 17 years
All
Phase N/A
585 participants needed
1 Location

Brief description of study

The purpose of this study is to find out if a short-term treatment (called a brief intervention) can help youth who screen positive for alcohol and/or substance use reduce their use of substances. 
 
AIM 1:
Compare the effectiveness of a youth-focused brief-intervention (TI) when delivered without caregiver involvement (TI-A) vs. with an added caregiver session (TI-A+P) vs. with an online caregiver component (TI-A+FCU) in reducing alcohol use in adolescents with mild AUD in primary care.
AIM 2: 
Identify youth and family factors associated with intervention response vs. non-response in each treatment condition, such as baseline substance use intensity (frequency, volume, duration, type), youth and caregiver perception of alcohol/substance use risk, youth personality factors (impulsivity, emotion dysregulation), and baseline parenting practices.
 
THIS STUDY IS ENROLLING BY INVITATION ONLY - Initial contact with the eligible patients will occur within an IU Health Clinic that is participating within the Integrated Behavioral Health Program. This program employs interventionalists who receive referrals from providers for various mental health and substance abuse concerns. This Interventionalist will ascertain eligibility and provide the patients information about the research study during their visit to clinic. The study team will then contact the eligible patients via phone to answer questions. Upon consent, study participants will be contacted via email and/or phone call.

Detailed description of study

In this study, we will place you randomly into one of three groups. Randomization is used in research to help make sure that the results are fair, and everyone has the same chance of being picked for each group. It is like drawing names from a hat or flipping a coin. 

Interventions within this study are called Teen Intervene (TI) and Family Check-Up Online (FCU): 
•    For Teen Intervene (TI), you will be placed with a social worker who will meet with you, 2 to 3 times for about an hour, to talk to you about your progress and review coping skills to help you reduce the use of alcohol or other substances. Your adult caregiver may meet with a social worker too, depending on what group you are placed in at the time of study enrollment.
•    For Family Check-Up Online (FCU), this is a caregiver online tool to help teach skills and promote positive relationships between caregivers and their children. 
 
In all groups, you will meet with a social worker for two Teen Intervene (TI) sessions and complete online surveys for about one year. Depending on your randomization group, your caregiver may also meet with a social worker for one Teen Intervene session or use Family Check-Up Online to help support you.   
 
Participants will be able to participate within this study remotely at the location of their choosing (Family Checkup Online (intervention) and/or REDCap electronic survey (e-Consent and follow up)). 

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Substance use, Substance abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcohol use, Alcohol abuse, Nicotine use, Tobacco use, Cannabis use, Marijuana use
  • Age: 12 years - 17 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion criteria:
  • Adolescents aged 12-17 and their caregivers
  • Identified through universal screening procedures at 18 primary care study sites located across Indiana, including in rural, suburban, and urban communities
  • NOTE: Eligibility will be confirmed by the study team upon referral

Online study

This study investigates the effects of brief interventions on adolescents with mild alcohol use disorder (AUD). The purpose is to understand how different treatment approaches can help reduce alcohol use among youth. Adolescents aged 12-17, along with their caregivers, will be randomly assigned to one of three study arms: a youth-focused intervention without caregiver involvement, a youth-focused intervention with a caregiver session, or a youth-focused intervention with an online caregiver component. This approach helps ensure fairness and equal chances for all participants.

Participants will engage in sessions called Teen Intervene (TI), where they will meet with a social worker two to three times to discuss progress and coping skills. Those in the caregiver-involved groups may have additional sessions or use the Family Check-Up Online tool, which promotes positive relationships between caregivers and children. All participants will also complete online surveys for about one year to track their progress.

  • Who can participate: Adolescents aged 12-17 and their caregivers who are identified through screening at primary care sites in Indiana can participate. Eligibility is confirmed by the study team after referral.
  • Study details: Participants will be placed into one of three groups to receive different types of brief interventions. They will meet with social workers and complete online surveys. Some caregivers may also participate in additional sessions or use online tools to support their children.
Updated on 16 Mar 2026. Study ID: PSYC-PCORI-ALCOHOL, 23394
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Interested in the study?

This study is accepting only persons who receive care at a certain clinic or doctor or who are part of an invited group. Questions about this study can be directed to the study team listed in the description or contact your doctor to see if you are eligible.

Accepting Referrals by Invitation Only