Can a short talk therapy help teens heal from violence and avoid substance abuse?

NCT ID NCT03737383

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: State University of New York at Buffalo Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether a short, trauma-focused therapy called Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) can help low-income urban teens aged 16–25 who have PTSD from violence and are at risk for substance use. Researchers measured changes in PTSD symptoms and alcohol use. The goal was to see if NET is practical and effective for this group.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Narrative Exposure Therapy (a brief trauma-focused talk therapy)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a practical, short-term therapy to reduce PTSD symptoms and risky substance use in at-risk teens.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early feasibility study with only 124 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The therapy may not work for everyone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

University at Buffalo Department of Psychology

Buffalo, New York, 14260, United States

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