Citation

Kemp R, Harris A, Vurel E, Sitharthan T. Australas. Psychiatry 2007; 15(6): 490-493.

Affiliation

Prevention Early Intervention and Recovery Service, Sydney West Area Mental Health Service, Parramatta, NSW, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1080/10398560701439665

PMID

17852064

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Substance abuse is a significant problem in the treatment of young people with their first psychosis. This study reports a randomized trial of a brief manualized cognitive behavioural therapy for substance abuse in young people with psychosis. METHOD: Subjects were randomized between the study treatment and a group treated as usual. Treatment was a four to six session brief cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention developed specifically for this patient group - Stop Using Stuff (SUS). RESULTS: Both groups improved across the trial. However, those exposed to the active treatment improved significantly on measures of the frequency of cannabis and alcohol abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Brief interventions in substance abuse in young people with psychosis can help moderate substance use in this difficult to treat group.

Language: en