Building an integrated care continuum for youth substance use treatment and recovery: A qualitative study

The fragmented U.S. healthcare system impedes youth and young adults with substance use disorders (SUD) from accessing treatment and wrap-around services to support long-term recovery. This qualitative study aimed to inform the design of an integrated system of care for youth and young adults with a SUD and identify pain points and cost drivers across stakeholders. Researchers conducted listening sessions with community members (n=139) and individual interviews with SUD clinicians (n=17). Findings revealed pain points related to treatment initiation, issues during treatment, and concerns during the recovery process. System-level cost drivers included human capital, multiple treatment episodes, and inefficient workflow processes. Study findings highlight the need for a systems-level intervention focused on improving coordinated care across service providers, decreasing duplication of assessment protocols, and developing a client-centered care system. Data informed the development of a youth-oriented SUD system of care model.