Guided talks did not cut teen drug use, but they may shift attitudes.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   1,466 teenagers in 10 trials: six in the US, three in the UK and one in Taiwan. Their average ages were about 16 to 19, and about 65 in every 100 were male.

2. 02

   What they did

   Teenagers had talks one to one, in person, to help them find their own reasons to change. Seven trials used about one hour, and three used three or four sessions; nine used the talks alone. The other groups got usual care, a leaflet, relaxation or only an assessment, with results checked after one to 12 months.

3. 03

   What happened

   In eight trials, drug use did not change more in the talk groups. In three trials, attitudes, including readiness to change, moved further in the talk groups. Overall the effect was small, and the chart of trials was lopsided, which may mean weak results from small trials are missing.

What the review found

1. No differenceGoals

   In eight trials, teenagers who had the talks did not use fewer illegal drugs than the other groups.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 8 studies · vs usual care, information or relaxation

2. HelpedMotivation

   In three trials, teenagers who had the talks changed their attitudes to drug use more than the other groups did.

   • Action: Talk through your mixed feelings about changingtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Pooled analysis of 3 studies · vs usual care, information or relaxation · they rated themselves

Source