Although research has identified effective interventions for
the treatment of adolescent substance use disorders and related
problems [1-4], research also has shown relapse and continued
substance use are common following discharge from treatment
[5-7]. These findings combined with longer-term findings
with adults [8-10] have prompted increasing recognition that
substance use disorders can be a chronic condition requiring longterm
treatment and support similar to other chronic conditions
such as mental illness, hypertension, diabetes, and congestive
heart failure [11-15]. One approach to the long-term care of
substance use problems that has received considerable research
attention is known as continuing care (historically referred to as
“aftercare”). Although reviews of the continuing care research
have revealed mixed support for the effectiveness of continuing
care [16-18], a recent meta-analytic review of continuing care
for substance use disorders found that continuing care had a
significant positive effect at both the end of the continuing care
interventions (g = .19) and at follow-up (g = .27) [18].
Despite demonstrated support for the effectiveness of
continuing care approaches, broader dissemination and
implementation of evidence-based continuing care services
within practice settings remains limited [19,20]. While additional
research to more fully understand the barriers to greater