Treatment of Justice-Involved Emerging Adults With Substance Use Disorders
This study's purpose is to examine the effectiveness of a promising intervention for emerging adults (EAs) with alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse and justice involvement in achieving the ultimate outcome of reduced criminal activity. The study will also examine that effect on intermediate outcomes as follows: 1) reduced AOD use; 2) greater gainful activity (increased educational success, employment and housing stability; decreased antisocial peer involvement and relationship conflict); 3) and greater improvement in self-regulation (self-efficacy, goal directedness and responsibility taking). The intervention to be tested is Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA). MST-EA is an adaptation of MST, a well-established, effective intervention for antisocial behavior in adolescents.
• Age 16 to 26 years
• Recent arrest or release from jail/prison/detention (within the past 18 months but excluding arrest for parole/probation violations)
• Presence of alcohol or drug (AOD) abuse disorder and recent AOD use (within the past 90 days)
• Able to reside in a stable community setting (not currently homeless, not currently in-patient; can include individuals ready for discharge to the community)