ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

The time of adolescence is unique and influences both how substance abuse is evidenced as well as how it should be treated. Our adolescent programs are not just separate from adult services; they are different and always reflect the distinct needs of this population.

The Teen Awareness Program (TAP) is a low intensity early intervention program. The goal of TAP is to provide a short-term intervention that prevents the need for a formal and intensive treatment program. TAP helps parents and families recognize the early warning signs of the problem, cultivate adolescent refusal skills, enhance family communication and teach limit setting skills to parents.

The Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program (IOP) is a primary treatment program for adolescents with significant substance abuse problems. Adolescents attend two to four days each week after school, stepping up or down in the frequency of attendance as a function of progress in treatment. Each treatment visit uses an integration of treatment methods that target various aspects of adolescent substance abuse and related problems, all within the context of a 12-step and family-oriented treatment model. An extensive family programs is provided each week at no additional charge.

The goal of the IOP is to achieve abstinence, strengthen the family system, and provide both the parents and adolescent with the tools for successful recovery. Each week there is a multi-family therapy group, in which families work as a whole and learn from each other, and a separate parents’ group in which parents are provided with education, support and guidance on how to approach their child’s problem. There are also individual family therapy sessions as indicated.

Dual diagnosis patients are treated successfully in of our adolescent substance abuse programs.

Transportation to the IOP is provided for adolescents from home or school.