ndividuals with co-occurring disorders experience substance use and another mental health disorder simultaneously. The conditions may precipitate or exacerbate one another, or they may exist independently (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2002). In youth with co-occurring disorders, the complexity of this interaction is heightened. Unique combinations of symptom patterns and behaviors can prevent youth from functioning adequately. Furthermore, co-occurring disorders in youth can impact brain development, making sustained recovery even more difficult (Kanary, Shepler & Fox, 2014). Overcoming these challenges can be particularly difficult for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, who often have little access to appropriate services and support. The high incidence of co-occurring disorders in this population and the poor outcomes associated with co-occurring disorders present distinct challenges for the juvenile justice system at the program and policy levels. Of particular concern are the implementation of effective, research-based screening and assessment tools to identify youth with co-occurring disorders, and the availability of and access to effective treatment (Hawkins, 2009). On a broader level, there is a call for courts and communities to adopt integrated approaches that target both the mental health and substance use treatment needs of youth.
[For more go to http://cfc.ncmhjj.com/resource...in-juvenile-justice/]
Comments (0)