Treatment efficacy comparaison study with cannabis users or dependents adolescents: MultiDimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) versus Treatment As Usual Explicite (TAU super(E))

In France, cannabis is the illicit substance most tested and consumed by the teenagers. In the United States, a therapy appeared particularly effective in this field: MultiDimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), taking as a starting point systemic and cognitive techniques. To validate the effectiveness of this therapeutic method, it seemed paramount to place it in the French framework and context by comparing it with what is usually done in France in the catch in charge problematic consumption of cannabis. Thus, since October 2006, two health care centres of Paris and its suburbs take part in this protocol of research with the prospect to include 150 teenagers, old from 13 to 18 years, presenting a diagnosis of abuse or dependence to the cannabis. This longitudinal study is carried out in partnership with four other European countries and should be completed at the end of 2009. This project, supported by Interdepartmental Mission of Fight against Drugs and Drug-addiction (MILDT), is integrated within the framework of a programme of care and prevention towards the problems of consumption into adolescence. Its objective is double: (1) to validate a therapeutic method in the context European, and more particularly French, effective in the field of the addictions to adolescence; (2) to develop means of evaluation of psychotherapies.