The effectiveness of CBT for depression and substance use compared to standard care among young people with co-occurring depression/anxiety and substance use

  • Dr Leanne Hides, ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Dan Ludman, ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Kathryn Elkins, ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Steve Carroll, ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Antonietta Scaffidi, ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Richard Marks, 1Youth Outreach Team, Drug and Alcohol Services West (DASWest), Western Health, Melbourne, Australia
  • Dr Sue Cotton, ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia

    • There are high rates of co-occurring depression and anxiety disorders among young people with substance use disorders. There is evidence for the effectiveness of integrated cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) interventions in combination with pharmacotherapy among alcohol dependent adolescents with co-existing depression. Preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of an integrated CBT interventions for young people with co-occurring depression and other substance use in the absence of concurrent antidepressant medication has also been found (Hides et al., sub). However, studies comparing CBT with treatment as usual as well as other psychosocial interventions are required to provide further evidence for the efficacy of this intervention. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of adjunctive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention for co-occurring depression/anxiety and substance misuse with standard treatment for substance misuse in young people seeking. Participants consisted of 93 young people aged 15 to 25, with a depression/anxiety (Kessler 10 ≥ 17) and concurrent substance misuse. Young people received either 12 weeks of CBT for co-occurring depression/anxiety and substance misuse that was delivered adjunctive to standard care or standard care alone. Forty-three young people have completed the CBT treatment and 30 have completed standard care. Pre and post treatment and 6 month follow up data comparing the mental health, substance use and functional outcomes of the treatment groups will be presented.