Introduction to the special issue on organizational dynamics within substance abuse treatment: a complex human activity system

Abstract

Substance abuse treatment programs represent complex human activity systems in which multiple actors, including clients, counselors, and managers, are nested. Furthermore, treatment programs are nested within the broader environmental context of resource allocation and regulatory enforcement. This special issue of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment presents 12 empirical papers that address organizational dynamics within specialty treatment programs. In this introduction to the special issue, the guest editors describe a conceptual framework of organizational dynamics, offer an overview of the articles within this issue, and discuss future prospects for research.