Addressing Substance Use Disorders Among System-Involved Girls.

Adolescent substance use continues to be a public health concern. Yet, most intervention research focuses on samples of boys in outpatient care, with adolescent girls accounting for less than 20% of samples, and even smaller percentages for girls in the child welfare or legal systems. System-involved girls experience unique needs when presenting to and engaging in substance use treatment as compared to boys. It is imperative that substance use treatment is responsive to girls' intersectional needs, including targeting trauma and incorporating relational approaches that also address societal and structural factors that impact girls' experiences and vulnerability for substance use.