Integrated Treatment of Alcohol and/or Marijuana Abuse for HIV-Infected Youth - Phase I

An exploratory study that adapted and tested an integrated cognitive behavioral and contingency management (CBT/CM) intervention for decreasing alcohol and/or marijuana use or abuse in HIV-positive adolescents. HIV-infected youth between 16 and 24 years of age with an alcohol and/or marijuana use or abuse disorder participated in focus groups and one of two intervention trials, with revision and adaptation of the intervention between trials. The CBT/CM intervention was delivered in fifteen one-hour individual sessions over the course of four months. The sessions aimed to promote decreased alcohol and/or marijuana abuse, adherence to medical care, emotion regulation, and safer sexual behavior, as well as increased adherence to medical treatment. Participants had the option of including parents and/or a significant other in treatment sessions.