Alternative Peer Group
The Alternative Peer Group Model (APG) is a solution to teenage substance abuse. The core concept is to counteract the two driving forces of teenage substance abuse: peer pressure and boredom. An alternative peer group is an organization that coordinates entertaining and safe hangouts for adolescents who struggled with substance abuse and dual-diagnosed mental health disorders. These program offers a continuum of care for the at-risk teen and a network of resources that further encourage adolescent growth.
The main objective of an APG is creating a culture that enthusiastically celebrates sobriety, esteem-able acts, and healthy habits while still honoring the thrill seeking and defiant nature of the teenage animal. This is a delicate balance, but it can be done with a network of enthusiastic, young, and trained staff members that range from counselors to paid staff members who have overcome similar struggles. Their job is to A) facilitate thoughtful conversation B) model behaviors that encourage sobriety and C) coordinate thrilling and meaningful activities that appeals to the teenage mind. Ultimately this leads to positive peer pressure amongst the teens that hold each other accountable to the standard of sobriety.
What is equally as important is creating an alternative peer group for parents. This peer group is where parents can be honest about their home life and seek real feedback from peers without the fear of judgement or social repercussions. Parent involvement and parent education on the subject of substance abuse and mental health is a crucial factor in creating long term recovery for teens. This community of parents have all been through similar struggles and many have come out the other side with a new sense of strength and love in their own home.
Teen and Parent Counseling
Our service package, incorportates 2 counsleing session for both parents and teen clients.
In teen counseling sessions, our counselors specialize in helping teens build the self-esteem that can combat substance abuse. This is done by supporting the teens as they practice introspection as well as giving them measurable, observable, and most importantly attractive goals to attain and aspire for. Our counselors are well trained to provide a thorough education on the type of esteem-able acts and habits that lead to sustainable long term growth.
For our parents, many have gone through the grueling process of watching their loved ones suffer. The feelings of guilt, frustration, and confusion associated with parenting a teen in active substance abuse can be a lot to handle on your own. Counseling can help shoulder these emotions and responsibilities. Our counseling team supports parents as they make changes at home and educate them on their contributions to the recovery process. Once this process begins we help parents enforce boundaries that protect their teens and themselves as their family goes through the trials and tribulations of early recovery.
