Substance Abuse Treatment, Education and Prevention Program Research

STEP values medical research because we strive to help our patients and future patients around the world. STEP offers current patients opportunties to participate in research studies.

Recent Studies

1. Randomized, controlled trail of atomoxetine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents with substance use disorders (Thurstone et al., Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2007;461179-1186). This trial randomized 70 adolescents with ADHD and substance abuse/dependence to 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy and atomoxetine or placebo.  Results show that atomoxetine was generally well-tolerated in non-abstinent teens. Both the atomoxetine and placebo groups had significant declines in ADHD symptoms, and the groups did not differ in their ADHD improvement. The cognitive behavioral therapy likely contributed to some of the ADHD improvement in the placebo group. Both groups had a significant decrease in their substance use as well. A link to the manuscript's abstract can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29494267. The trial underscores STEP's commitment to providing integrated treatment for psychiatric and substance use disorders.

2. Medical marijuana diversion and associated problems in adolescent substance treatment (Thrustone et al., Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2011;118:489-492). This study asked 80 teens in substance treatment if they had obtained marijuana from someone with a medical marijuana license. About 50 percent of the teens replied that they had, and those who did reported easier access to marijuana and more frequent marijuana use. A link to the manuscript's abstract can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed21565453.

3. A one-session HIV risk-reduction intevention in adolescents with psychiatric and substance use disorders (Thurstone et al., Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2007;46:1179-1186). Many teens with substance use also have a various risky sexual behaviors. This study documents the clear need for effective HIV risk-reduction inteventions for adolescents in substance treatment. STEP is commtted to helping our patients protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. A link to the study abstract is available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed17712241