ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a system of care and the clinical issues that are central to the delivery of alcoholism and/or substance abuse services to adolescents. Adolescent services can be provided in a variety of settings. Criteria are identified which can distinguish which level of care is most appropriate for the presenting clinical condition of the adolescent. Especially with adolescents, a system of care that is available in different settings, which represents varying intensities, that has specific criteria for determining what services in which settings are most appropriate, and is coordinated in order to maximize the ''system'' nature of care are fundamental principles to the organization and delivery of treatment services for adolescents. A variety of clinical decisions had to be made in shaping both the content of the treatment programs as well as the process of delivering treatment services. These clinical considerations will confront any program that is considering the development of adolescent services.
