I thought it was time to address the unfortunate divide between the “therapeutic” programs (comprised of community –based living programs, therapeutic boarding schools, clinical boarding schools, emotional growth boarding schools and residential treatment centers) and the world of 12-step based recovery – oriented treatment programs. I say “unfortunate” because there is much that each world could learn from the other in order to provide more comprehensive services. In our role as consultants, we must have a complete set of tools in our tool box to help the adolescents, young adults and families who come to us for assistance in devising a successful treatment plan.
There are families for whom substance abuse, addiction and co-dependence will require the entire family to enter into a lifelong commitment to recovery. Abstinence from alcohol and other drugs will be an essential component of treating the systemic nature of addiction and learning new, healthier coping strategies. Conversely, there are cases in which alcohol and/or other drugs are being abused and, while we can address this as an issue, it may not be the primary focus of treatment. These individuals and families may be better served by addressing the underlying, previously undiagnosed, learning disabilities, depression or other diagnoses.
Clinicians of all disciplines, school administrators and educational consultants can be quick to dismiss addiction in many of the kids whom we serve. This resistance to recognizing the affects of drugs or even addiction can lead to ineffective interventions and can allow continued use of alcohol and other drugs to impede the understanding of underlying issues. In fact, the use of certain drugs, if not taken into account in understating a person’s functioning, can cause the presumption of a much more grim diagnosis and outlook for long term success.
The net result of this divide is that, many times, adolescents or young adults can get very good treatment while in a program/school, but other issues involving the family system get ignored or are not attended to with the intensity required for a more positive outcome. Both sides of the divide are guilty of having a myopic perspective regarding the other and of an unrealistic belief that there is only one way that is ultimately “right.”
It will be interesting to watch how the corporate acquisition of Aspen Education Group (AEG) by CRC Health plays out in bridging the divide. AEG operates many wilderness treatment, residential treatment and therapeutic boarding schools around the country while CRC operates many recovery-based treatment facilities across the country as well.
I thank all of you who have contacted Bodin to compliment and comment on the articles in our newsletter. In this case, I will acknowledge that all who read this are sincere and caring professionals on either side of the divide. I encourage all of you to reach out to the other side and accept that “one size does not fit all.”
