Change for the BEST: family changes for parents coping with youth substance abuse

This paper reports family changes for participants in a program for parents coping with youth substance abuse. The Behavioural Exchange Systems Training (BEST) program is a professionally-led, parent training intervention. During 1996 and 1997, six groups of parents participated in the program. High levels of depression were observed at intake and symptoms demonstrated a stable reduction in association with exposure to the program. Parents tended to achieve success in developing common strategies for assertively managing family problems, though couples from more complex blended families found this more difficult. Adolescent improvements were noted during the weeks observed. A two year follow up conducted with a subset of families revealed that parents continued to report that the intervention had helped them cope with youth drug abuse.