Treatment Plan
Hanley Center’s Adolescent Outpatient Program consists of a multi-tiered treatment approach that is individualized depending upon which stage of substance abuse the teenager is in. A counselor first meets with the teen and conducts a thorough screening and assessment, then assigns the adolescent a treatment tier.
Tier I Treatment
Tier I outpatient treatment is for those who misuse drugs and alcohol. The treatment plan includes:
- 4 individual counseling sessions (1 hour/week)
- One family session
To determine the teen’s propensity to continue drinking or doing drugs, the counselor will explore risk factors such as the adolescent’s family history, environment, and his or her belief system about drugs and alcohol.
The family session will focus on continuing care and family expectations surrounding the use of alcohol and drugs.
Tier II Treatment
Tier II outpatient treatment is for those dealing with substance abuse. The treatment plan consists of:
- 8 to 12 individual counseling sessions (1 hour/week)
- A minimum of 2 family sessions
The individual counseling sessions will focus on a range of issues including risk factors for drug and alcohol abuse, understanding and defining the criteria for chemical dependence, determining life goals, developing coping strategies, and identifying strong family and peer relationships that support a sober lifestyle.
The family sessions will explore developing an environment of care and understanding for all members of the adolescent’s family. In addition, the counselor will introduce the teen and family to community-based support groups.
Tier III Treatment
Tier III outpatient treatment is for those who meet the diagnostic criteria for chemical dependency. The treatment plan consists of:
- 16 to 24 weeks of individual counseling sessions (1 hour/week)
- Minimum of one group therapy session per week
- Minimum of 3 family sessions
- Attendance at least one community-based support group per week
Individual counseling sessions will focus on issues including
- The definition of chemical dependency
- The impact of substance abuse in all areas of the patient’s life
- Personal values and the roles those values played in their substance abuse
- The causal factors of dishonesty
- How current relationships live up to their ideals
- Relapse triggers
- Developing motivation towards living the life of their hopes
- The role that the patient sees substance use playing in their future, whether it be abstinence, or a desire to use after treatment
The primary focus of group therapy is developing honesty, trust, and open communication. Discussion topics will address the disease of addiction and its effect on brain chemistry, relapse triggers, fear, self-esteem, dishonesty, healthy relationships, and dealing with anger.
Family sessions will focus on developing the concept of environment as a trigger for relapse, working toward honest relationships with the family, identifying boundaries that need to be established in family relationships, and identifying barriers that prevent the family from becoming unified.
In addition, the adolescent’s parents will attend the Hanley Center’s Family Program, a 3-day supportive, educational group experience for those impacted by a loved one’s substance abuse.
