Consideration could be given to modifying residential treatment to suit young people. For example, the primary modifications made to the TC approach to address the unique needs of adolescents are:
• Shortened recommended lengths of stay;
• Participation of families in the therapeutic process;
• Limited use of peer pressure;
• A more vertical authority structure, with adolescent clients having less input than their adult counterparts in community management; and
• Emphasis is placed on participation in education more than work programs within the TC (Jainchill et al. 2000).