Evaluation of a support program for caregivers of substance-using adolescents

INTERVENTION: Participants will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group through block randomisation in a 1:1 ratio by a researcher not connected to the study. The intervention group will receive the Community Reinforcement Approach and Family Training (CRAFT), adapted to caregivers of substance using adolescents. This contains 8 sessions delivered over a 10‐week period by counsellors at an adolescent substance care unit (Mini Maria). The control group will receive treatment as usual, which involves 4 counselling sessions together with 1 follow‐up session delivered by counsellors at an adolescent substance care unit (Mini Maria) and a group session with the main purpose to enhance participants knowledge about cannabis. All participants will answer questions about their health‐related status and their adolescents' health‐related status and substance use at four time points, when they enter the study and 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks later. CONDITION: Substance use ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Substance use PRIMARY OUTCOME: Adolescents help‐seeking behavior as reported by caregivers at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 weeks follow‐up. At inclusion and at week 24, the information is provided in the form of an interview. At week 6 and 12, the information is provided in the form of a questionnaire. SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; The following are self‐reported by caregivers of their own and the adolescent's status at the baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 weeks:; 1. Adolescent drug and alcohol consumption, assessed using:; 1.1. Timeline Followback (TLFB); 1.2. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); 1.3. Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT); 2. Adolescent's mental health, assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); 3. Caregiver's mental health, assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐21; 4. Caregiver's relational satisfaction, assessed using the Relationship Happiness Scale; 5. Caregiver's quality of life, asessed using:; 5.1. EQ‐5D; 5.2. Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS); 6. Caregiver's self‐efficacy, assessed using the Parental Self‐Efficacy Scale; 7. Caregiver's psychological flexibility, assessed using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire ‐ II (AAQ‐II); INCLUSION CRITERIA: Guardian/caregiver: 1. Formal or informal caregiver to a substance‐using adolescent 2. Living with the adolescent at least 50% of the time per month, with no plan to change this pattern 3. Explicit wish that the adolescent seek formal treatment 4. Living in the Stockholm region Adolescent of the participating caregiver: 1. Aged 15‐19 years 2. Existing problems related to alcohol or drug 3. Would deny formal treatment at study entry according to the caregiver