Functional Family Therapy (FFT) for Young People in Treatment for Non‐opioid Drug Use: A Systematic Review

This Campbell systematic review assesses the effectiveness of FFT to reduce drug abuse (cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, or cocaine) among young people aged 11 to 21 years. The review includes two randomised controlled trials, but summarises findings from only one study reporting on the outcome of drug use. Two studies, reported in three papers, are included. Both were conducted in the USA. Only one provides outcomes related to youth drug use. It compares the effectiveness of FFT with that of alternative treatments. The results from the one study reporting on the effect of FFT on youth drug use shows a short‐term (four month) reduction in the use of cannabis, an effect that disappears in the longer term. There is a dearth of evidence on the effectiveness of FFT for the treatment of non‐opioid drug use in young people. Executive Summary/ BACKGROUND Youth drug use is a severe problem worldwide. Usage of cannabis, amphetamine ecstasy and cocaine, referred to here as non‐opioid drugs, are strongly associated with a range of health and social problems. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is a short‐term, manual‐based, behaviorally oriented family therapy program for young people with behavior problems such as drug abuse, juvenile delinquency and violence. Delivered in an outpatient setting, it aims to help young people and their families by improving family interactions and relationship functioning by addressing dysfunctional individual behavior. As with many other forms of family therapy, FFT targets young people and their families as a system. As such, it recognizes the important role of the family system in the development and treatment of young people's drug abuse problems. OBJECTIVES The main aim of this review is to evaluate the current evidence on the effects of FFT on drug abuse reduction for young people in treatment for non‐opioid drug use. SEARCH METHODS A wide range of electronic bibliographic databases were searched using a relatively narrow search strategy, in July 2013. We performed extensive searches in a broad selection of government and policy databanks, grey literature databases, citations in other reviews and included primary studies, and by hand searches of relevant journals and internet searches using Google. We also corresponded with researchers in the field of FFT. No language or date restrictions were applied to the searches. SELECTION CRITERIA To be eligible for inclusion, studies must have: involved a manual‐based outpatient FFT treatment