Failure in organization and planning: a case study of a treatment agency

Substance use treatment for adolescents probably fails more often than it succeeds, yet reasons for these failures are seldom reported in the literature. Much can be learned from failure so that mistakes need not be repeated. A case study of one treatment center is presented with a discussion about the failures that can occur in five primary areas: facility/environment, administrative, staffing, treatment, and cultural application. Incidents that are not addressed immediately can create a cascade of critical incidents that lead quickly to treatment failure. Too often, clients are assigned the responsibility of treatment failure when, in fact, the treatment system is the true problem. Suggestions are made for timely interventions that may divert treatment failure.