A normal response to abnormal events: a model for a tier 5 substance abuse program for youth

There is a growing call for a commitment to evidence based practice with corresponding measures of success built into all services provided along the continuum of care for mental health and addictions services. It has been well established that the treatment of youth substance use cannot be developed based on the experiences of the adult population, and specific consideration must be given to youths' cognitive and developmental levels, experiences, family dynamics, peers, and type of substance use. Very often, youth entering inpatient, residential treatment programs for problematic substance use have experienced trauma in their formative years that may be core to their illness and paramount to their healing. Based on current literature pertaining to best and promising practices for substance affected youth and trauma-informed care, this project provides recommendations for daily programming within a tier 5 setting for youth. It is a call for provincial standards and guidelines for treatment and rehabilitation of youth to be trauma-informed at their core. --P. ii.