One size does not fit all for addiction treatment

The concept of “one size fits all” is frequently used for clothing, yet we are well aware that it rarely holds true. Why? Because each person is inherently unique. If it’s widely accepted that something as basic as a t-shirt won’t fit uniformly on everyone, then why does addiction medicine persist in adopting a universal “one size fits all” approach to treating such a complex aspect of mental health? Unfortunately, emerging adults are frequently subjected to a ‘one size fits all’ approach in addiction treatment which disregards recent insights into the unique developmental and life differences of emerging adults in comparison to their older and younger counterparts. 

Individuals aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group. Emerging adults also drop out of substance use treatment earlier compared to any other age group. Retention in treatment is crucial because it is positively correlated to a range of outcomes including reduced drug use, a higher social functioning, and overall higher quality of life. The conventional approach to in-patient treatment often follows a standardized routine, offering the same schedule of behavioral therapies and pharmacotherapies to all patients, regardless of individual needs. This one-size-fits-all method fails to recognize the diverse requirements of patients and disregards the significant differences in life experiences among individuals across different age groups. It’s evident that an 18-year-old navigating addiction will have vastly different needs and perspectives compared to someone in their 60s.

Research focusing on emerging adults with substance use disorders remains limited. To truly advance the goal of helping this population, it is imperative to pursue a dual strategy: firstly, gaining deeper insights into the most effective treatment approaches for this specific population, and secondly, refining treatment protocols to ensure better long-term outcomes for this uniquely vulnerable group.

By Kathryn Dalton