Therapy Manuals 
          for Drug Addiction
          Brief Strategic 
          Family Therapy for 
          Adolescent Drug Abuse
          José Szapocznik, Ph.D.
          Olga Hervis, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
          Seth Schwartz, Ph.D.
          Center for Family Studies
          Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
          University of Miami School of Medicine
          U.S.Department of Health and Human Services
          National Institutes of Health
          National Institute on Drug Abuse
          6001 Executive Boulevard
          Bethesda,Maryland 20892
                               ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
                This treatment manual was written by Jose Szapocznik, Ph.D., Olga Hervis, M.S.W.,
                and Seth Schwartz, Ph.D., of the Center for Family Studies, Department of Psychiatry
                and Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Miami, under contract to the National
                Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The treatment described in this manual was developed
                over the course of several decades by a team of researchers and clinicians. Among
                those who were integral to the development of this manual are: Mercedes Scopetta,
                who founded the University of Miami Center for Family Studies; Daniel Santisteban,
                who continues to pioneer culturally sensitive family therapy interventions for Hispanic
                families; Michael Robbins, who directs the Center’s research on in-session processes
                and their relationship to treatment outcomes; Angel Perez-Vidal, who was the lead
                therapist in many BSFT studies; and Victoria Mitrani, who has worked intensively on
                a BSFT-relevant measure of family functioning.
                NIDA wishes to thank all who contributed to the development of this manual, including
                the families who participated in this research, without whom this research would not
                have been possible.
                DISCLAIMER
                The opinions expressed herein are the views of the authors and do not necessarily
                reflect the official policy or position of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or any
                other part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The U.S. Government
                does not endorse or favor any specific commercial product.
                PUBLIC DOMAIN NOTICE
                All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced
                without permission from the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the authors. Citation
                of the source is appreciated.
                NIH Pub. No. 03-4751
                Printed August 2003
                       Foreword
                   More than 20 years of research has shown that addiction is clearly
                   treatable. Addiction treatment has been effective in reducing drug use
                   and HIV infection, diminishing the health and social costs that result
                   from addiction, and decreasing criminal behavior. The National
                   Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which supports more than 85 per-
                   cent of the world’s research on drug abuse and addiction, has found
                   that behavioral approaches can be very effective in treating cocaine
                   addiction.
                   To ensure that treatment providers apply the most current scienti-
                   fically supported approaches to their patients, NIDA has supported
                   the development of the “Therapy Manuals for Drug Addiction” series.
                   This series reflects NIDA’s commitment to rapidly applying basic find-
                   ings in real life settings. The manuals are derived from those used
                   efficaciously in NIDA-supported drug abuse treatment studies. They
                   are intended for use by drug abuse treatment practitioners, mental
                   health professionals, and all others concerned with the treatment of
                   drug addiction.
                   The manuals present clear, helpful information to aid drug treatment
                   practitioners in providing the best possible care that science has to
                   offer. They describe scientifically supported therapies for addiction and
                   provide guidance on session content and how to implement specific
                   techniques. Of course, there is no substitute for training and super-
                   vision, and these manuals may not be applicable to all types of
                   patients nor compatible with all clinical programs or treatment
                   approaches. These manuals should be viewed as a supplement to,
                   but not a replacement for, careful assessment of each patient, appro-
                   priate case formulation, ongoing monitoring of clinical status, and
                   clinical judgment.
                   The therapies presented in this series exemplify the best of what we
                   currently know about treating drug addiction. As our knowledge
                   evolves, new and improved therapies are certain to emerge. We look
                   forward to continuously bringing you the latest scientific findings
                   through manuals and other science-based publications. We welcome
                   your feedback about the usefulness of this manual series and any
                   ideas you have about how it might be improved.
                                 Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
                                 Director
                                 National Institute on Drug Abuse
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