Published in the Social Science & Medicine Journal, this paper found that young people who attend drug and alcohol treatment commonly do so more than once. Skills learnt in earlier stays or changed life circumstances often helped them achieve better outcomes.

Treatment effects appear to be incremental rather than associated only with one stay in a program. Study participants saw services as part of the journey towards taking control of their lives, often involving engaging with many different programs, some repeatedly.

With re-engagement in treatment, the young people in the study developed a stronger sense of wellbeing and control over substance use. This emphasises the importance of continuing care after people leave intensive services, including ongoing case management and activity programs that encourage rather than pathologise young people.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953624006348

Photo credit: NOFFS