On the Idea of Treatment Systems

Abstract

This article addresses certain problems associated with the use of a system approach in studying the organisation and character of treatment for alcohol and drug problems. There are three main approaches of system concept use. The first concerns what could be called the dream of rationality, which tends to have the structure of an attempt to reform a present state of affairs. It is guided by a traditional system concept, which claims that systems consist of interrelated parts and constitute wholes. The second type of use is characterised by an ad hoc approach inasmuch as the actual use of the system concept is primarily to delimit populations of treatment services, rather than of treatment systems. The third approach can be called the extensive system approach since it emphasises the inclusion of a large number of relations that to some extent make the boundaries of the system less distinct. While all three approaches stand out as reasonable and relevant research strategies, their different limitations may nevertheless make it worthwhile to consider some alternatives. I suggest that a possible alternative approach can be found in a market perspective. This suggestion is premised on the specific context of current alcohol and drug treatment organisation in Sweden. However, it is not impossible that similar circumstances could also be present in other countries.