Drug and alcohol work in child and adolescent mental health

Abstract

This article aims to share a way of working with adolescents who have problems with drugs and alcohol, within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This is relatively unusual because drug and alcohol services are seldom available within CAMHS. It is important because it allows the inclusion of young people with drug and alcohol and/or mental health issues into the services. Risk-taking behaviour is a natural part of adolescence, and drug and alcohol use may be one part of that normal development. Allowing the voices of these young people to be heard by mental health service professionals facilitates the development of their narratives and helps to override the fear some have when caring for them.