Fathers for Change vs. Individual Drug Counseling for Substance Abuse

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Carla S Stover, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Yale University

Disqualifiers: Protective order, Cognitive impairment, Psychotic/Bipolar, Suicidal/Homicidal, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 19

Duration: 18 weeks

280 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What data supports the effectiveness of the Fathers for Change treatment for substance abuse?

Research shows that Fathers for Change (F4C) can help reduce emotional regulation problems and may lower the chances of substance use relapse in fathers undergoing treatment. This suggests that F4C could be beneficial for fathers dealing with substance abuse, especially in managing emotions and reducing the risk of returning to substance use. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Fathers for Change safe for participants in clinical trials?

Fathers for Change (F4C) has been implemented successfully in men's residential treatment programs, with high participant satisfaction and completion rates, suggesting it is generally safe for participants. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How is the Fathers for Change treatment different from other treatments for substance abuse?

Fathers for Change is unique because it integrates fatherhood and parenting components into substance abuse treatment, addressing co-occurring issues like intimate partner violence and poor parenting, which are often overlooked in traditional programs. This approach not only focuses on reducing substance use but also aims to improve family dynamics and parenting skills, making it distinct from standard individual drug counseling. ^{1 4 7 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study involves a randomized controlled trial of Fathers for Change (F4C) compared to Individual Drug Counseling (IDC) with a sample of 280 fathers enrolled in substance use (SU) treatment within community or veterans (VA) healthcare settings to (a) demonstrate F4C efficacy compared to IDC in reducing SU and family violence (FV) at end of treatment, 3- and 6-month post-treatment follow-up, and (b) document improved emotion regulation as the mechanism within F4C that results in reduced SU and FV.

Research Team

Carla S Stover, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Yale University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for fathers who are receiving treatment for substance misuse within community or VA healthcare settings and have a history of family violence. They should be willing to participate in follow-up assessments after the treatment ends.

Inclusion Criteria

Meet DSM-5 criteria for an SU disorder at the time of assessment at APT or VACHS

Report FV within the last 12 months prior to screening (based on self, court, police, or child protection reports)

Are able to complete assessments in English

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have untreated psychotic or bipolar disorder.

Physiological addiction to a substance that requires detoxification (such individuals may be re-evaluated following detox)

I am in weekly therapy for substance misuse or family violence.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either Fathers for Change (F4C) or Individual Drug Counseling (IDC) for substance use and family violence reduction

18 weeks

Weekly visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for substance misuse and family violence at 3- and 6-month post-treatment follow-up

27 weeks

Visits at week 19, week 32, and week 45

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Fathers for Change (F4C)
• Individual Drug Counseling (IDC)

Trial Overview The study compares two approaches: Fathers for Change (F4C), which focuses on improving relationships and emotion regulation, against Individual Drug Counseling (IDC) that targets substance use directly. The goal is to see which method better reduces substance abuse and family violence.

Participant Groups

Group I: Fathers for Change Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Individual Drug Counseling Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Yale University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,963

Recruited

3,046,000+

APT Foundation, Inc.

Collaborator

Trials

7

Recruited

1,200+

VA Connecticut Healthcare System

Collaborator

Trials

86

Recruited

8,800+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 62 fathers in residential substance misuse treatment, the Fathers for Change (F4C) program, which integrates treatment for intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment, led to significantly greater reductions in affect dysregulation compared to the Dads 'n' Kids (DNK) program.

Both interventions resulted in decreased anger and IPV, but F4C participants showed a potential lower likelihood of substance use relapse after treatment, highlighting the benefits of integrating fatherhood-focused interventions in substance misuse programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized pilot trial of two parenting interventions for fathers in residential substance use disorder treatment. Stover, CS., McMahon, TJ., Moore, K.[2023]

The Fathering in Recovery (FIR) intervention, a video-based program adapted for fathers in their first year of recovery from substance use disorders, significantly improved parenting knowledge and fathering efficacy among participants, based on a pilot study of 41 fathers.

FIR also showed potential in reducing ineffective parenting practices and child behavior problems, indicating that this intervention could positively impact families affected by substance use disorders, although further research is needed to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial to improve fathering among fathers with substance use disorders: Fathering in recovery intervention. Cioffi, CC., Browning O'Hagan, AM., Halvorson, S., et al.[2023]

Behavioral Family Counseling (BFC) combined with Individual-Based Treatment (IBT) led to significantly longer treatment retention and better outcomes in substance use abstinence compared to IBT alone, based on a study of 29 substance-dependent patients.

BFC patients showed consistent improvements across all measured outcomes at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-ups, indicating its effectiveness in reducing substance use and enhancing treatment engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral family counseling for substance abuse: a treatment development pilot study. O'Farrell, TJ., Murphy, M., Alter, J., et al.[2021]

Substance use treatment programs often overlook the parenting status of men, despite evidence that programs focusing on gender and motherhood improve treatment outcomes for women.

The paper presents pilot outcomes from a fatherhood-focused intervention in a residential treatment program, suggesting that integrating parenting components could enhance treatment effectiveness and positively impact child welfare.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Where's Dad? The Importance of Integrating Fatherhood and Parenting Programming into Substance Use Treatment for Men. Stover, CS., Carlson, M., Patel, S., et al.[2020]

In a pilot study involving 30 fathers with alcohol use disorders, Parent Skills with Behavioral Couples Therapy (PSBCT) showed comparable effectiveness to Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) in reducing substance use and relationship conflict, while both were more effective than Individual-Based Treatment (IBT).

PSBCT demonstrated larger improvements in parenting skills and reduced involvement with Child Protection Services (CPS) compared to BCT, suggesting it may be a beneficial approach for fathers in treatment and should be explored further in larger studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent training with behavioral couples therapy for fathers' alcohol abuse: effects on substance use, parental relationship, parenting, and CPS involvement. Lam, WK., Fals-Stewart, W., Kelley, ML.[2022]

Children with fathers who abuse illicit drugs show more internalizing and externalizing symptoms compared to those with alcoholic or non-substance-abusing fathers, based on a study involving 120 children across three groups.

The study suggests that improving parenting behavior and reducing conflict between parents could help enhance the adjustment of children living with drug-abusing fathers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional and behavioral problems of children living with drug-abusing fathers: comparisons with children living with alcohol-abusing and non-substance-abusing fathers. Fals-Stewart, W., Kelley, ML., Fincham, FD., et al.[2019]

A study involving 44 fathers in a substance use disorder treatment program showed that incorporating a fatherhood-focused intervention significantly reduced anger-related thoughts and emotion regulation problems after the program.

The intervention, called Fathers for Change, had a high completion rate of 84.1% among participants, indicating strong feasibility and satisfaction with the program's content.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating intimate partner violence and parenting intervention into residential substance use disorder treatment for fathers. Stover, CS., Carlson, M., Patel, S.[2019]

The Fathers for Change intervention, involving 18 fathers with both Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and substance abuse issues, led to higher treatment completion rates and greater satisfaction compared to Individual Drug Counseling.

Participants in the Fathers for Change group showed a trend toward reduced IPV and significantly less intrusive behavior during play with their children after the 16-week program, suggesting potential benefits for both fathers and their parenting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fathers for Change for Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence: Initial Community Pilot. Stover, CS.[2023]

The intervention 'Fathers for Change' is designed specifically for fathers who are involved in intimate partner violence (IPV) and also struggle with substance abuse, addressing the unique challenges they face in parenting.

This program emphasizes the importance of the paternal role in treatment, filling a significant gap in current interventions that often overlook fathers' responsibilities and needs in the context of IPV and parenting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fathers for change: a new approach to working with fathers who perpetrate intimate partner violence. Stover, CS.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized pilot trial of two parenting interventions for fathers in residential substance use disorder treatment. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial to improve fathering among fathers with substance use disorders: Fathering in recovery intervention. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Behavioral family counseling for substance abuse: a treatment development pilot study. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Where's Dad? The Importance of Integrating Fatherhood and Parenting Programming into Substance Use Treatment for Men. [2020]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent training with behavioral couples therapy for fathers' alcohol abuse: effects on substance use, parental relationship, parenting, and CPS involvement. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional and behavioral problems of children living with drug-abusing fathers: comparisons with children living with alcohol-abusing and non-substance-abusing fathers. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating intimate partner violence and parenting intervention into residential substance use disorder treatment for fathers. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fathers for Change for Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence: Initial Community Pilot. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fathers for change: a new approach to working with fathers who perpetrate intimate partner violence. [2021]