A Manualized Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder.

Research highlights the increasing overlap of autism spectrum disorder and substance use disorders in young people. However, no behavioral treatments exist addressing this comorbidity despite great need. A team of clinicians developed an integrated behavioral protocol addressing substance use in youth with autism spectrum disorder.

The Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Self-Reported Trait Anger in Treatment-Seeking Young People.

Trait anger has been shown to be predictive of emotion-focused coping and alcohol use. Yet, the connection between cannabis use and trait anger remains poorly characterized. The present study sought to investigate the relationship between cannabis use and self-reported trait anger in youth seeking substance use treatment.

Characterizing autistic traits in treatment-seeking young adults with substance use disorders.

Background And Objectives: Recent work highlights an increase in the overlap of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Little is known about the presence of ASD symptoms in SUD-treatment-seeking populations.

Methods: The informant-rated Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) was completed at intake to an outpatient SUD clinic for youth aged 16-26 (N = 69).

Validation of brief screening measures for depression and anxiety in young people with substance use disorders.

Background: It is critical to promptly identify and monitor mood and anxiety symptoms in young people with SUD. The primary aim of this study was to conduct a psychometric validation of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) for depression and anxiety screening in young people seeking outpatient treatment for SUD. Our secondary aim was to compare the performance of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to their briefer two-item versions (PHQ-2 and GAD-2) in terms of detecting probable mood and anxiety disorders.

A Naturalistic Evaluation of a Group Intervention for Parents of Youth with Substance Use Disorders.

Parents of youth with substance use disorders (SUDs) often play a vital role in successful treatment, yet little is known about interventions designed to help them cope with the stress of this role, especially as delivered in real-world settings. Evaluations of such interventions could potentially inform adaptations to enhance their clinical utility. Parents of youth with SUDs attending a clinician-led group based on the CRAFT model completed measures at intake, 4- and 8-weeks.

Considerations for Treating Young People With Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder.

Although substance use disorder (SUD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are highly comorbid with other mental disorders and commonly have onset during childhood, little attention has been paid to their overlap. Despite limited data suggesting that up to 4% of patients with ASD also have substance-related problems, there are no existing guidelines, protocols, or tailored resources focused on SUD in young people with co-occurring ASD. This is concerning given that the simultaneous presence of these disorders presents unique challenges that complicate clinical care.

Substance-induced Psychosis in Youth.

Youth experiencing psychosis also frequently misuse substances, making it clinically challenging to differentiate substance-induced psychosis (SIP) from a primary psychotic disorder (PPD), which has important implications for management and prognosis. This article presents practical considerations related to differentiating SIP from PPD, including information on substances associated with symptoms of psychosis. Recommendations for management of SIP are also reviewed, including screening for and treating comorbid substance use disorders and using evidence-based medication and psychosocial interventions.

Risk Factors for Overdose in Young People Who Received Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

Background And Objectives: To identify substance and psychiatric predictors of overdose (OD) in young people with substance use disorders (SUDs) who received treatment.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive medical records of young people who were evaluated in a SUD program between 2012 and 2013 and received treatment. An independent group of patients from the same program who received treatment and had a fatal OD were also included in the sample.

Neuropsychological changes in patients with substance use disorder after completion of a one month intensive outpatient treatment program.

Background And Objectives: Data suggest individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) exhibit high rates of executive functioning (EF) impairment, and that EF level can predict treatment retention. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if patients who completed a 1 month intensive outpatient program (IOP) for SUD demonstrated recovered EF.

Methods: Baseline and follow-up neurocognitive functioning was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and the self-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF-A) questionnaire.

Risk Factors for Overdose in Treatment-Seeking Youth With Substance Use Disorders.

Objective: Overdoses (ODs) are among the leading causes of death in youth with substance use disorders (SUDs). Our aim was to identify the prevalence of OD and characteristics associated with a history of OD in youth presenting for SUD outpatient care.

Methods: A systematic retrospective medical record review was conducted of consecutive psychiatric and SUD evaluations for patients aged 16 to 26 years with DSM-IV-TR criteria SUD at entry into an outpatient SUD treatment program for youth between January 2012 and June 2013.

Factors associated with attrition in substance using patients enrolled in an intensive outpatient program.

Background And Objectives: Data suggest individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) have high rates of attrition from treatment and exhibit impairments on measures of executive functioning (EF). The primary aim of this pilot study was to investigate if EF is associated with attrition from a 1 month intensive outpatient program (IOP) for SUD, and examine the feasibility of implementing the project.

Methods: Baseline neurocognitive functioning was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and the self-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF-A) questionnaire.

Brief Report: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder: A Review and Case Study.

There is limited literature available on the comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and substance use disorder (SUD). This paper reviews existing literature and exemplifies the challenges of treating this population with a case report of an adult male with ASD and DSM-5 alcohol use disorder. This review and case study seeks to illustrate risk factors which predispose individuals with ASD to developing SUD and discuss the obstacles to and modifications of evidence-based treatments for SUD.

Longitudinal associations between depression and problematic substance use in the Youth Partners in Care study.

Large-scale treatment studies suggest that effective depression treatment and reduced depression are associated with improved substance use outcomes. Yet information is limited regarding the longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and problematic substance use and its predictors, particularly in real-world practice settings. Using latent growth modeling, we examined the (a) longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and problematic substance use, (b) impact of depressive symptoms on problematic substance use, (c) impact of problematic substance use on depressive symptoms, and (d) role of co-occurring symptoms on depression and problematic substance use.

Maternal depression, maternal expressed emotion, and youth psychopathology.

Across development, maternal depression has been found to be a risk factor for youth psychopathology generally and youth depression specifically. Maternal Expressed Emotion (EE) has been examined as a predictor of outcome among youth with depression. The present study explored the associations between youth psychopathology and two predictors-maternal depression within the child's lifetime and maternal EE-in a study of children at risk for depression.

Patterns of alcohol consumption in bipolar patients comorbid for alcohol abuse or dependence.

Objectives: Despite a high prevalence rate, patients with bipolar disorder and active alcohol use are routinely excluded from controlled clinical trials leaving clinicians with little evidence-based medicine to guide treatment. This report evaluates preliminary data of alcohol consumption patterns utilizing the Alcohol Timeline Followback (TLFB) method in actively drinking patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods: A sample of 30 patients underwent a Structured Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-IV) as well as completing various measures of alcohol use and associated morbidity.