Substance Abuse

Multi-dimensional Approaches to Substance Abuse/Addictions Treatment

The clinical programming at the Academy at Swift River is designed to address the complexity of adolescent substance abuse, behavioral addictions and dual diagnosis presentations. Students misuse substances for a multitude of reasons and present at varying levels of risk. Elevated risk is often indicated when use patterns escalate in a very short period of time from experimental use to abuse and/or dependence. The benefits of early treatment intervention at the earliest signs of addiction is often observed in this setting.

We have a commitment to multi-modal treatment approaches in an effort to respect where the student is in the addiction-recovery process. It is expected that students will present with varying levels of motivation and commitment to change. We employ progressive approaches toward treatment based on Prochaska's Stages of Change and Miller & Rollnick's Motivational Interviewing. We respect that there are individual differences to how people approach their recovery and provide a wide range of recovery tools for them to choose from. In addition, in this treatment setting our team is able to employ an encompassing approach to address the social, emotional, behavioral, academic and spiritual aspects of the student's life.

The process involves specific assessment using screening tools and clinical interviews. We value family involvement in the treatment process. The substance abuse staff and the clinical counselors work together with the student to integrate the treatment recommendations in the student's day-to-day activities. We utilize Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques in an individual/group counseling context. We offer 12-step programming on and off-campus. We very much encourage students to build a foundation of recovery by engaging in the arts, yoga, athletics and outdoor-adventure activities.

Students at the Academy at Swift River engage in a series of family visits where the student transitions to the home setting. This provides an ideal opportunity for effective relapse prevention planning. The students have a chance to learn much about how to make effective recovery choices on these visits with the assistance of the clinical counselors. Families and students are provided with appropriate discharge and aftercare recommendations.

ASR's Alumni and Transitional Care Services provides students and their families with supportive aftercare upon completion of the program. Much value is placed on the transition from ASR into the community.