NCJ Number
175418
Date Published
1998
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Archway's Outpatient Program is a division of Yonkers General Hospital (New York), which has a comprehensive network of services for people with drug or alcohol problems and their families; it has a special State license to operate an Intensive Adolescent Treatment Program.
Abstract
This is a 3-day-a-week program that meets from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a total of 9 hours a week. Group therapy sessions are held from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and a hot dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program activities include a recreation session at the YMCA gym once a week for 1 hour and attendance at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting once a week at the program facility. The major focus is on group therapy. The program is culturally sensitive. The counselors act as role models for the juveniles; they set limits for the clients, and there have been no significant behavior problems. Most staff members are credentialed alcoholism counselors or social workers. There are three phases to treatment; phase 1 consists of engagement and education; phase 2 is identification of treatment issues and development of strategies for remaining abstinent; phase 3 is an advanced group, centered on completing treatment goals. Urine tests are conducted randomly, and treatment plans are reviewed every 3 weeks. The average adolescent is in treatment for 6 months. Every effort is made to engage the family in treatment. Adolescents unable to maintain abstinence in the outpatient setting are referred to inpatient rehabs and return to Archway after they complete their stay (usually 28 days). This paper discusses keys to the program's success.