Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Suicidal Alcohol Abusing Adolescents: Development and Pilot Testing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to pilot a cognitive behavioral treatment protocol for adolescents with co‐occurring alcohol use disorder and suicidality, examine its association with symptomatic improvement, and determine its feasibility and acceptability. Treatment consisted of a 6 month acute treatment phase, 3 month maintenance phase, and a 3 month booster phase, as well as case management services. Participants were also permitted to receive concurrent pharmacotherapy. Five of six families completed the protocol. Measures of alcohol use and suicidality were collected at intake, end of acute treatment, and post‐treatment. Decreases in alcohol use and suicidal ideation were reported for all participants. Two of the five participants, both with a prior history of suicide attempts, re‐attempted during the course of the protocol. Both were maintained in the study and improved over the subsequent portion of the treatment. A high retention rate, strong therapeutic alliance ratings, and low perceived treatment obstacles provide support for the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. Preliminary results suggest that integrated outpatient cognitive behavioral treatment for alcohol abusing suicidal adolescents is feasible, acceptable, and associated with symptomatic improvement.