Now Available: New ASAM Criteria for Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth
The landscape of adolescent addiction treatment is evolving. We are excited to share that the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has officially released the Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth volume of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition.
For the first time since 2013, adolescent care standards have been moved from a combined volume into a dedicated framework. This new volume is specifically designed to meet the unique developmental needs of youth (under 18) and transition-aged individuals (ages 16–25).
Why This Matters for Our Field
This update reflects the latest research in pediatric-onset substance use disorder (SUD) and emphasizes several critical shifts in care:
- Early Intervention: Prioritizing specialty treatment for young people at high risk before substance use scales to a full disorder.
- Integrated Mental Health: Every level of care is now expected to be “co-occurring capable,” providing fully integrated mental health treatment.
- Chronic Care Model: A move toward long-term recovery management rather than just acute, short-term episodes.
- Family-Centered Approach: Strengthening the focus on family systems and coordination with schools and child welfare agencies.
Key Dates & Resources
Published by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the new standards are being rolled out as follows:
- Digital Release: Available March 31, 2026.
- Print Release: Available June 2026.
- Educational Webinar: Hazelden Betty Ford will host a session on April 16 to discuss how programs can implement these new standards.
Read the full announcement: To explore the new continuum of care and purchase the volume, visit the official press release here.