An integrated pharmacological and psychological approach to young people with comorbid depression and substance abuse

This study aims to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a 20-week adjunctive integrated Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) intervention for young people with major depression and co-occurring substance misuse. This study includes a placebo-controlled trial of an antidepressant (Sertraline) for those young people who fail or only partially respond to the CBT intervention in order to determine whether adjunctive antidepressant treatment improves clinical response in this population. The CBT trial has now been completed and follow-up assessments are currently being conducted.