The effectiveness of family therapy in the treatment of adolescence substance abuse: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose and objective: This scoping review identified and examined existing evidence based literature relating to the effectiveness of family therapy in the treatment of substance abuse disorders in adolescents. To describe what is known from existing literature, about the effectiveness of family therapy as an intervention in the treatment of adolescents using substances. Method: The scoping review method was used to synthesize study evidence and map the key concepts around adolescent substance use treatment. A total of 10 articles were sourced through electronic databases and through manual reference list searching. In the articles, family based therapy was compared with other interventions (manualized/non-manualized) on their effectiveness in treating adolescent substance use. Results: the identified themes throughout the articles were, the effects of treatment on substance use; retention of the adolescent in treatment and problems associated with substance use in adolescents. Although family therapies (such as EBFT, MDFT, FFT, BSFT) did not always outperform other interventions, there was significant improvement in the key themes. Conclusion: Evidence suggest family therapy as a promising treatment in adolescents using substances.