Examining the effect of the LET'S ACT behavioral activation treatment for depression on substance abuse treatment dropout

Despite the prevalence of depression among substance users and the negative impact of depressive symptoms on substance abuse treatment outcomes, few interventions have been developed to meet the needs of depressed substance users, particularly in low-income urban areas. The current study aimed to replicate and expand upon promising preliminary findings for the use of a brief behavioral activation approach [Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use (LET'S ACT; Daughters et al., 2008)] to treat depression in the context of residential substance abuse treatment. Extensions to the previous study include comparing LET'S ACT to a contact-time matched control treatment, Supportive Counseling (SC), and more definitively evaluating the effect of LET'S ACT on substance abuse treatment dropout. Results indicated that compared to SC, participants in LET'S ACT evidenced significantly lower rates of treatment dropout and depressive symptoms, as well as significantly higher rates of behavioral activation. This study builds on evidence for LET'S ACT as a short-term treatment for depression and offers initial support for the effect of LET'S ACT on substance use outcomes.