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The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the adolescent therapeutic community (ATC) literature – drawing on studies primarily from the USA with consideration made to the Australian context.

A review of the efficacy research for ATCs is considered, and the characteristics of Australians accessing ATC treatment are discussed in the context of developmental needs.

Similarities are found in what precipitates and perpetuates adolescent substance use in the USA and Australia, and therefore, what appears to facilitate effective treatment utilising the therapeutic community model.

The paper provides a valuable perspective for Australian services, and explores the application of the ATC model within the Australian treatment context.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA) Standard to Australian youth-specific modified therapeutic communities (MTCs). An Interpretive Guide for Youth MTCs and Residential Rehabilitation (RR) Services was developed and a pilot trial conducted with three Australian youth MTC services.

Using a mixed-methods design, this study included three components: a consultation process with residential youth MTCs (N=15), which informed the development of the ATCA Standard Interpretive Guide for Youth MTCs and RR Services; a pilot trial of the materials with three Australian youth MTCs (N=53); and an evaluation of the interpretive guide and assessment of applicability of the ATCA standard to youth MTCs through pre- (N=32) and post- (N=19) pilot trial administrations of the Survey of Essential Elements Questionnaires (SEEQ), and post-pilot trial focus groups (N=21).

Results indicate that the ATCA Standard is applicable to youth MTC settings when applied with the Interpretive Guide, although no significant differences were found between the pre- and post-pilot trial administrations of the SEEQ.

Future research is recommended to explore active mechanisms of youth-specific MTCs, differences between adults and youth MTCs, and the development of TC-specific training.

To date, no standard for youth residential substance use services in Australia has been developed, and this is the first study of its kind internationally to explore the efficacy of standards in a youth MTC.