The type and level of care depends upon assessment of the disease course and severity. Physical, emotional, behavioral, and developmental as well as psychosocial variables, stressors and conditions are included in the assessment. In treating the adolescent, certain factors and differences are understood and adequately addressed. These factors include but are not limited to:

• A TREATMENT APPROACH TO CLINICAL DEPENDENCE AS A PSYCHO-SOCIAL-BIO-GENETIC DISEASE;
• RECOGNITION OF THE MORE ENTRENCHED DENIAL AND ACCELERATED PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE IN THIS AGE GROUP;
• THE MARKED PREVALENCE OF DUAL DIAGNOSIS AND POLYDRUG INVOLVEMENT;
• DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL;
• THE CHALLENGES OF HABILITATION AS OPPOSED TO REHABILITATION
• THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY/GUARDIAN PARTICIPATION; AND
• THE NEED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, INDIVIDUALIZED, ADAPTABLE AND MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT INCLUDE OUTPATIENT AND ONGOING CONTINUING CARE.