PDF
What to Look for in a Young Adult Drug Treatment Program
It isn’t easy trying to choose a substance abuse treatment program for yourself or a person you love. There are thousands of programs to choose from, many of which claim to be the best.
Before making a final choice, here are a few features that will help ensure the best possible start on the road to recovery:
Program Accreditation
An addiction treatment program can make all types of claims and promises. The best way to determine if they can follow through is a recommendation from an objective, neutral source such as an accrediting body. In the field of drug rehab treatment, you’ll want to look for a program that is CARF accredited.
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is an independent, nonprofit organization that performs an in-depth review of program services using some of the most rigorous standards in the field. CARF accreditation assures clients that their program of choice offers the highest quality services available and is focused on delivering the most favorable results.
Based on its clinical excellence and sophisticated programming, Four Circles’ wilderness rehab for young adults is one of the few programs of its kind that has been accredited by CARF.
Licensed and Experienced Clinical Staff
A substance abuse treatment program is only as effective as the treatment professionals who work with the clients to bring about change. Much of an individual’s success hangs on whether they can build strong, trusting relationships with their therapists. Ask yourself: Are the therapists positive role models who truly care about and connect with their patients? Are their skills backed by licenses and certifications?
To the staff at Four Circles, helping young adults overcome their drug and alcohol dependencies is more than a business, it is a personal calling and lifelong commitment. They have dedicated extensive time, study and training to make Four Circles the most clinically sophisticated wilderness-based substance abuse treatment program in the country.
Four Circles’ executive director, Jack Kline, has earned five different clinical licenses and certifications and has more than 25 years of experience in various chemical dependency and mental health disciplines. The rest of the clinical team is fully licensed and knowledgeable in the field of addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. Many of the program therapists are pursuing or have already earned multiple licenses, and have both personal and professional experience with addiction and recovery.
Backed by Research
Quality drug rehab programs are willing to test their effectiveness by undergoing a rigorous, controlled process of evaluation through independent research. While some facilities have the attitude, “We’re great because we say so,” the best drug treatment programs strive to prove their value.
Four Circles is backed by research that proves its effectiveness at treating young people struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The program is currently participating in a long-term outcome study on the efficacy of wilderness therapy as an addiction treatment for young adults. The study, which is being conducted by independent researchers at the Center for Research, Assessment, and Treatment Efficacy (CReATE), in collaboration with the University of Arkansas, seeks to accurately determine clients’ progress while at Four Circles and for one full year after they complete treatment.
One year into the study, a preliminary analysis shows that Four Circles’ clients display fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, substance abuse and dependency; stronger motivation for recovery; and improvements in overall quality of life and functioning.
Blend of Traditional and Holistic Therapies
Not all therapies work for the same for different people. While some prefer traditional 12-Step work and addiction counseling, others may benefit from a holistic approach that emphasizes all-around health for mind, body and spirit. Young people, in particular, tend to fare best in drug rehab programs that incorporate physical activity, spiritual growth, and various forms of therapy for mental and emotional health.
Four Circles offers the best of both traditional addiction treatments and holistic therapies in a high-impact wilderness environment. Education, individual and group therapy, gender-specific programs, daily living skills and adventure activities are all part of the Four Circles curriculum. The 12-Step philosophy is integrated into every aspect of the program, teaching clients coping skills and providing them with a support network that improves their chances for a lasting recovery.
Wilderness therapy is a form of drug treatment that has proven uniquely effective for adolescents and young adults because it integrates hands-on learning and peer support and reinforces the 12-Step principles. For example, it isn’t difficult to admit one’s powerlessness – the first of the 12 Steps – when surrounded by the majesty and solitude of nature. Facing and overcoming a series of challenges, clients become simultaneously humbled and uplifted by their wilderness experience.
By observing young adults in a variety of settings – traditional therapy sessions, daily 12-Step meetings, cabin life and on wilderness expeditions – the clinical team at Four Circles is able to get a complete picture of each client’s limiting beliefs, hopes, communication patterns and coping mechanisms..
Family Program that Helps Loved Ones Heal
Addiction is a disease that causes dysfunction not only in the individual drug user but also in the entire family system. Research shows that the prognosis for a young adult struggling with substance abuse is drastically improved when their family is involved in the treatment process.
As part of its comprehensive family program, Four Circles provides weekly family therapy sessions, weekly support conference calls with other families, and a two-day family workshop every month that is designed to engage, educate and take care of family members. The clinical staff works closely with the families to help them understand the disease of addiction, what it has done to their family and how they can move forward while their loved one is doing the hard work of recovery.
Ongoing Support and Aftercare
Recovery requires a long-term commitment that extends beyond the confines of wilderness rehab or a stay in an addiction treatment center. Finding a drug treatment program that makes the transition home or onto the next facility a smooth one is an important part of relapse prevention.
Four Circles understands that getting sober is just the beginning of the recovery process. The staff works closely with clients, their families and referral sources to create a detailed discharge and aftercare plan, which includes helping clients develop a support system and identifying appropriate continuing care programs and support groups in their home community.
Recovery isn’t easy, but choosing the best drug treatment center for your needs will provide a strong foundation for the challenging, but rewarding, journey ahead.