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Adolescent Outpatient Services
Assessment
Any parent having concerns for an adolescent's use of alcohol and drugs may call one of
our outpatient offices to arrange an assessment. During the assessment parents are asked
what their concerns are and whether they notice any unwelcome changes (.eg., declining
grades, different group of friends, moodiness) in their child. The assessor interviews the
child and meets with both parent and adolescent to present a diagnosis and recommend a
course of action. The assessment usually takes one and a half hours to complete.
Depending on the findings of the assessment the clinician may recommend one of the following:
1. No Recommendation - The assessment finds that the adolescent executed poor
judgement rather than any symptoms of dependency.
2. Outpatient Education - A program designed for adolescents who have had
problems with their use of alcohol/ drugs but who could not at the time of assessment
be diagnosed as chemically dependent. Classes meet weekly for two hours and
participants are also exposed to 12-step programs and monitored for drug use. The
class lasts for eight weeks.
3. Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Treatment - Designed for adolescents who are
diagnosed as chemically dependent. This program meets three times a week for two
hour sessions. Counselor and adolescent create a recovery plan that focuses on the
issues the adolescent must resolve to gain recovery while still going to school/ work
and being around others who use/ drink. Adolescents are asked to complete key
assignments that remind them of the power of the disease of addiction and the path to
recovery.
NOTE: When the diagnosis of an adolescent confirms that he/ she is too ill to be able
to recover in an outpatient program, an inpatient regimen is recommended (see
adolescent inpatient description).
4. Continuing Care - In addition to recovery issues facing the addict, strong peer
pressure adolescents still suffer after treatment, continuing care is held twice weekly
after primary treatment. It is critical that youth retain the support of other recovering
friends and that a professional is on hand to facilitate groups and to watch for any
early signs of relapse. Adolescents attend continuing care at one of our outpatient
facilities for as long as the clinical team deems it is medically necessary.
Family Education/ Support Group
The disease of addiction wreaks a special havoc on the relationship between parents and
addicted teens. Parents are confused, saddened and often angered by the changes the
disease brings about in behaviors, thinking and emotions. The family group consisting of
three hours over a four week period of time teaches parents about the nature of addiction
and recovery as well as behavior changes that will re-balance the family in crisis. If
parents need continuing support they can contact our Family Center in Bellevue for
further services.
Click here for Site Locations
Contact us now at Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers for FREE Drug & Alcohol evaluations...
Call (800)231-4303 or email us confidentially
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