Support Services for Young Adults With Substance Use Disorders.

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Young adults with substance use disorders (SUDs) require specialized care.
• Recovery support services (RSS) are crucial for sustained recovery in this demographic.
• Existing care models may not fully address the unique needs of young adults in recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review principles of care for RSS for young adults with SUDs.
• To outline fundamental guidance, evidence, and clinical considerations for RSS.
• To emphasize key strategies for effective recovery support in young adults.

Main Methods:

• Summary of proceedings from a longitudinal expert meeting on SUDs in young adults.
• Review of principles of care for recovery support services.
• Identification of three core principles for RSS in this population.

Main Results:

• Young adults need diverse RSS across all care levels, from early intervention to intensive inpatient services.
• Integrating individuals with lived experience into the addiction workforce improves service delivery.
• Integrated RSS, encompassing clinical and non-clinical settings, provide optimal social support for recovery.

Conclusions:

• Recovery support services must be comprehensive and accessible to young adults with SUDs.
• The inclusion of peer support and lived experience is vital for effective addiction services.
• Integrated approaches to RSS are essential for promoting sustained recovery and social integration.