Module 1: Overview of the Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Treatment Systems

3. The Substance Abuse Treatment System

The philosophy of the substance abuse treatment system is based on the belief that a substance use disorder is a lifelong disease that can be halted and, with treatment, recovery is possible. Treatment is focused on helping youth learn new, more adaptive coping skills and behavior. This section provides basic information on how youth enter the substance abuse treatment system, providers of treatment, assessment, treatment settings, treatment approaches, psychotropic medication, and characteristics of successful interventions.

An exercise is included to highlight the main points related to the substance abuse treatment system that are relevant for those working in the juvenile justice and mental health treatment systems. Basic knowledge of how this system works is vital to achieving collaboration when working with youth who have co-occurring disorders.