1.  What happens if my son/daughter continues to use
      while in the program?

2.  What happens after the 16 weeks is completed?

3.  How long should I drug and alcohol test my child?

4.  What if we can’t make it each week to program?

5.  Should my other children come to family groups?

1.  What happens if my son/daughter continues to use while in the program?   It is made very clear at the beginning of the program that the goal of treatment is to abstain from all mind and mood altering substances. If it becomes clear that use is continuing, even after tightening the structure at home and utilizing all the leverage available, we may conclude that more intensive treatment is needed. We will then discuss residential treatment options.

2.  What happens after the 16 weeks is completed?   When all 16 Adolescent Recovery Groups are completed, a decision will be made by parents, the teen and the counseling team about whether Adolescent Recovery Group should continue, or whether stepping down into another support system is advised. Most kids in the program continue in the Adolescent Recovery Group past the 16 weeks.

3.  How long should I drug and alcohol test my child?   Parents commit at the beginning of the program to continue to drug test their child until he or she moves out of the house.

Failing to do this correlates highly with relapse and eventual re-emersion into the drug using lifestyle. If the problem is serious enough to warrant treatment in the first place, it stands to reason that ongoing monitoring is the best insurance policy that it will not return. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

4.  What if we can’t make it each week to program?   Missing a group due to illness or a pre-planned vacation is understandable and those missed groups can be made up at the end of the program. We ask, though, that parents call in to let the staff know if they or their child won’t be in group.

5.  Should my other children come to family groups?   Children over the age of 12 are invited and should come to family sessions (discuss first with counselor) and Family Education classes. Younger children typically don’t understand (there are exceptions) much of the material in the Family Education program and often feel uncomfortable so they don’t need to attend.