Towards an International Consensus on the Prevention, Treatment, and Management of High-Risk Substance Use and Overdose among Youth.

Background and Objectives: Now more than ever, there is an obvious need to reduce the overall burden of disease and risk of premature mortality that are associated with mental health and substance use disorders among young people. However, the current state of research and evidence-based clinical care for high-risk substance use among youth is fragmented and scarce. The objective of the study is to establish consensus for the prevention, treatment, and management of high-risk substance use and overdose among youth (10 to 24 years old). Materials and Methods: A modified Delphi technique was used based on the combination of scientific evidence and clinical experience of a group of 31 experts representing 10 countries. A semi-structured questionnaire with five domains (clinical risks, target populations, intervention goals, intervention strategies, and settings/expertise) was shared with the panelists. Based on their responses, statements were developed, which were subsequently revised and finalized through three iterations of feedback. Results: Among the five major domains, 60 statements reached consensus. Importantly, experts agreed that screening in primary care and other clinical settings is recommended for all youth, and that the objectives of treating youth with high-risk substance use are to reduce harm and mortality while promoting resilience and healthy development. For all substance use disorders, evidence-based interventions should be available and should be used according to the needs and preferences of the patient. Involuntary admission was the only topic that did not reach consensus, mainly due to its ethical implications and resulting lack of comparable evidence. Conclusions: High-risk substance use and overdoses among youth have become a major challenge. The system's response has been insufficient and needs substantial change. Internationally devised consensus statements provide a first step in system improvement and reform.

Debate: Supporting the mental health of school students in the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand - a digital ecosystem approach.

The pandemic is creating unprecedented demand for mental health support for young people. While schools often facilitate mental health support for their students, the demands for online teaching and the uncertainty created by the pandemic make traditional delivery of support through schools challenging. Technology provides a potential way forward. We have developed a digital ecosystem, HABITS, that can be integrated into school and healthcare systems. This has allowed us to deploy specific evidence-based interventions directly, and through schools, to students and to parents in New Zealand during the current pandemic. Chatbot architecture is particularly suited to rapid iteration to provide specific information while apps can provide more generalised support. While technology can provide some solutions, it is important to be aware of the potential to increase current inequities, with those facing the greatest challenges to health and well-being, also least able to afford the resources to access digital interventions. Development of an integrated and equitable digital system will take time and collaboration.

Gamifying CBT to deliver emotional health treatment to young people on smartphones.

mHealth interventions promise the economic delivery of evidence-based mental health treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to populations that struggle to access health services, such as adolescents and in New Zealand, Maori and Pasifika youth. Unfortunately engagement with digital therapies is poor; modularisation and gamification have potential to increase their appeal. Gamifying CBT involves selecting suitable interventions, adapting them to a digital format while applying gamification principles. We describe the design and development of Quest - Te Whitianga, an app that encourages the user to learn CBT skills via a series of activities and games. A variety of approaches including consultation with clinicians, reference to best-practice literature, focus groups and interactive workshops with youth were used to inform the co-design process. Clinicians worked iteratively with experienced game designers to co-create a youth CBT digital intervention. The Quest modular app is set on an ocean and the user travels between islands to learn six evidence-based skills. These include a relaxation/mindfulness activity, activity planning, a gratitude journal plus problem solving and communication skills training. We describe the theoretical and design aspects of each module detailing the gamified features that aim to increase user engagement. In the near future we will be testing the app and the principles discussed in this paper via a randomised-controlled trial.

The Importance of User Segmentation for Designing Digital Therapy for Adolescent Mental Health: Findings From Scoping Processes.

BACKGROUND: New Zealand youth, especially those of Maori and Pacific descent, have high rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm, but have low rates of help-seeking from mental health professionals. Apps, computerized therapy, and other digital tools can be effective, highly scalable treatments for anxiety and depression. Co-design processes are often used to foster engagement with end users, but this does not always lead to high levels of engagement. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to carry out preliminary scoping to understand adolescents' current internet use and diversity of preferences to inform a planned co-design process for creating digital mental health tools for teenagers. METHODS: Interactive workshops and focus groups were held with young people. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. RESULTS: Participants (N=58) engaged in 2 whanau (extended family) focus groups (n=4 and n=5), 2 school- or community-based focus groups (n=9 each), and 2 workshops (n=11 and n=20). The authors identified 3 overarching themes: (1) Digital mental health tools are unlikely to be successful if they rely solely on youth help-seeking. (2) A single approach is unlikely to appeal to all. Participants had diverse, noncompatible preferences in terms of look or feel of an app or digital tool. The authors identified 4 user groups players or gamers, engagers, sceptics, and straight-talkers. These groups differed by age and degree of current mental health need and preferred gamified or fun approaches, were open to a range of approaches, were generally disinterested, or preferred direct-to-the-point, serious approaches, respectively. (3) Digital mental health tools should provide an immediate response to a range of different issues and challenges that a young person may face. CONCLUSIONS: Defining the preferences of different groups of users may be important for increasing engagement with digital therapies even within specific population and mental health-need groups. This study demonstrates the importance of scoping possible user needs to inform design processes.

Can We Predict Which Adolescents Will Engage in Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment?

Understanding which adolescents remain in substance abuse treatment may facilitate the development of effective strategies for enhancing engagement and retention. Using clinical service data from a large naturalistic sample of adolescents, we examined whether client characteristics predict retention in outpatient alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. χ2 tests and multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to examine relationships between sociodemographic and substance use variables and clinic attendance. Client characteristics of ethnicity, sex, age, living situation (whether living with or away from family), and substance use severity were associated with retention in community AOD treatment. Pacific Island youth, females, 13- to 15-year olds, clients living with family, and clients with more severe substance use were generally more likely to be "engaged" with the service (ie, attended 4+ sessions) than their European and Maori, male, 16- to 19-year-old, and living away from home counterparts. These findings may inform more targeted engagement strategies in the future.

The substances and choices scale (SACS)--the development and testing of a new alcohol and other drug screening and outcome measurement instrument for young people.

AIMS: To describe the development and evaluation of the Substances and Choices Scale (SACS), an adolescent alcohol and other drug (AOD) self-report instrument designed in a similar format to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). DESIGN: A literature review, extensive consultation and discriminant analysis on a pilot sample (n = 61) of adolescents informed the development of the SACS. The psychometric properties of the SACS were then tested in a larger community and clinical sample. SETTING: Three youth out-patient AOD treatment services and three secondary schools in Auckland, New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: 13-18-year-old males and females attending the services (n = 120) or schools (n = 531). MEASUREMENTS: The SACS was administered with the CRAFFT, the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). FINDINGS: Reliability of the SACS was sound, with coefficient alpha 0.91 and 3-week test-retest correlation 0.88. Congruent validity coefficients of the SACS versus the CRAFFT and the POSIT were 0.79 and 0.91, respectively. A ROC curve demonstrated the SACS as having a predictive value of 92%. Repeat SACS scores in a treatment sample indicated that the SACS had utility in measuring change. Feedback from participants indicated that the SACS was highly acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The SACS is a simple AOD instrument that is reliable, valid and acceptable to young people. It has utility in screening and measuring outcome and should enhance the identification and treatment of AOD difficulties in adolescents across a range of health settings.

Synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal: a new demand on detoxification services.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Synthetic cannabinoid dependence and withdrawal are not well described in the literature. We aimed to report on the characteristics and treatment course of clients attending a detoxification service for support with synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal in Auckland, New Zealand. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective audit of electronic and paper files for clients presenting for treatment in association with problematic synthetic cannabinoid use between May 2013 and May 2014 was conducted. Demographic information, reported synthetic cannabinoid use, other substance use, reported adverse effects, withdrawal symptoms and treatment information were recorded using a piloted template. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the characteristics of the audit sample. RESULTS: In the 12 month period, 47 people presented to detoxification services reporting problems withdrawing from synthetic cannabinoids. Twenty clients were admitted for medical management within an inpatient setting. Coexisting substance dependence apart from nicotine dependence was low. The most common withdrawal symptoms were agitation, irritability, anxiety and mood swings. Withdrawal symptoms were managed with diazepam and quetiapine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The harm associated with use of synthetic cannabinoids has had a direct impact on the utilisation of specialist alcohol and drug services in Auckland, New Zealand. Many clients with synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal symptoms required intensive support including medication and admission to an inpatient detoxification unit. Clients withdrawing from synthetic cannabinoids were the third largest group of clients admitted to inpatient detoxification services in Auckland, New Zealand, between May 2013 and May 2014.

The effect of alcohol price on dependent drinkers' alcohol consumption.

AIMS: To investigate the current purchasing behaviours of a group of dependent drinkers and their potential response to future increases in the price of alcohol. METHODS: 115 clients undergoing medical detoxification completed an anonymous survey about their daily alcohol consumption, its cost, their response to potential price increases and strategies previously used when unable to afford alcohol. RESULTS: Mean and median number of standard drinks consumed per day was 24, at a median cost of $25 NZD (95%CI $22, $30). Thirty-six per cent (95%CI 26%, 46%) of the group bought alcohol at $1 or less per standard drink, and the median number of drinks consumed per day (30) by this group was significantly higher (p=0.0028) than the rest of the sample (22.5). The most common strategy used if no money was available to purchase alcohol was to forgo essentials. If facing a potential price rise, 77% (95%CI 69%, 85%) would switch wholly or partially to a cheaper product and 13% (95%CI 8%, 21%) would cut down their drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of our group would be financially impacted by an increase in the minimum price per standard drink, any potential impacts would be most significant in those buying the cheapest alcohol (who also drink the most), suggesting that minimum pricing may be an important harm minimisation strategy in this group. A minimum price per standard drink would limit the possibility of switching to an alternate cheaper product and likely result in an overall reduction in alcohol consumption in this group. Stealing alcohol, or the use of non-beverage alcohol, were seldom reported as previous strategies used in response to unaffordable alcohol and fears of such are not valid reasons for rejecting minimum pricing to reduce general population consumption.

Do young people attending addiction services differ from those attending youth mental health services?

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: We aimed to describe and compare the self-reported substance use, psychopathology and psychosocial morbidity in adolescents attending two adolescent outpatient services, a triage-based mental health service and an engagement-focused addiction service in Auckland, New Zealand. DESIGN AND METHODS: A naturalistic cross-section of 131 (addiction service = 67, mental health service = 64) 14-18-year-old boys and girls attending each service completed a standardised screening and assessment instrument, the Drug Use Screening Inventory-Revised. The Drug Use Screening Inventory-Revised measures self-reported problems across 10 domains of functioning, including substance use, behaviour, psychiatric symptoms and school and family functioning. Descriptive statistics were used to provide an overview of the self-reported morbidity in each group and t-tests were used to determine differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Adolescents attending the addiction service reported significantly more problems with substance use, school performance and peer relationships than those attending the mental health service. There was no significant difference in reported psychiatric symptoms, behavioural problems, social competency, health problems, family problems, difficulties in work functioning or leisure time between the two groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Young people presenting to engagement-focused substance use services report similar difficulties to those at mental health services across most areas of psychosocial functioning. Addiction services may require equivalent staffing expertise and workforce development to that in mental health to effectively meet young people's needs.