Short-Term Effects and Acceptability of an Intervention for Parents Using Illicit Drugs: The "SHIFT PLUS" Parent Training

Background Parental drug use is frequently associated with impaired parenting skills. The situation of children growing up in families affected by substance use is often precarious, especially when the environment is characterized by the drug-associated lifestyle. Despite the need of support of these target groups, so far no standardized, evidence-based interventions for drug- involved mothers and fathers are available in Germany. Method The SHIFT PLUS Parent Training comprises a modularized group intervention for drug dependent parents with children up to 8 years of age. It aims at strengthening parental skills and family resilience, and fostering abstinence. The intervention is based on the existing SHIFT Parent Training for parents using Crystal Meth and was adapted to address drug using parents in general and extended to include relatives and children. It was implemented in eight locations across Germany in cooperation with substance use treatment and child welfare services. A total of 87 parents participated in the trial. A quasi-experimental research design with intervention and waitlist-control condition was used to evaluate effectiveness. Additionally, practicability and acceptability by parents and trainers was assessed during the intervention. Results The SHIFT PLUS training was highly accepted by participating mothers and fathers, that reported to handle familial challenges more confidently. Effectiveness evaluation revealed a significant improvement of depressive symptoms and the situation of drug-involved families within the intervention condition. Moreover, both group reported less mental health problems, substance use and more feelings of parental competence. Conclusion The intervention offers an innovative addition to evidence-based care for families affected by substance use in Germany. It allows a systematic promotion of parental skills and family resilience, while considering a cooperative approach of child-welfare and substance use treatment. In addition, the direct involvement of family members allows them a low-threshold entrance to the professional helping system, if needed.