Core Principles
The Synapse System, at its core, is based on five Principles formed over the collective 75 years of experience of the Synapse founders:
Principle I: Addiction is a brain disease. Effective treatments address brain function.
Principle II: Substance use disorders co-occur with other mental health disorders. Co-occurring disorders need to be assessed and treated with evidence-informed therapies.
Principle III: Substance use disorders impact the entire family. Address the family system so all members can recover.
Principle IV: The treatment of substance use disorders requires a holistic, multi-component, research-based, individualized approach with a strong educational component that addresses the brain, co-occurring disorders, and the family system.
Principle V: Treating substance misuse can prevent the onset of a chronic, progressive disease process leading to chronic underachievement at the very best and, at worst, death.