'SASADECC'-A Unique Model of Collaborative Care Between Government and Non-Government Health Services for Adolescents...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Substance Use Disorders

Background:

• Significant treatment gaps persist for adolescents with substance use issues, highlighting the need for effective interventions.
• A unique collaboration was established between the Specialist Addiction Service for Adolescents (SASA) and the Sydney Drug Education and Counselling Centre (SDACC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a collaborative care model between government and non-government adolescent addiction services.
• To assess the outcomes for adolescents receiving integrated care for substance use issues.

Main Methods:

• Review of informal feedback, demographic data, outcome measures, and clinical notes from 2019-2022.
• Analysis of data from 50 study participants with valid serial outcome measures (VSOM).

Main Results:

• Statistically significant improvements were observed in the Severity of Dependence Scale and DASS21 depression and anxiety subscales.
• The majority of participants reported progress in substance use goals, psychological function, social-occupation function, and risk management.
• Feedback on the collaborative model was overwhelmingly positive.

Conclusions:

• The collaboration serves as an effective model for integrated care between government and non-government services for adolescent substance use.
• Learnings from this model can inform the development of future adolescent addiction treatment services.