Addiction Treatment – Addictive Behavior Program and Customized Treatment
AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO TREATMENT OF OUR CHEMICAL AND PROCESS ADDICTIONS
Discovery Ranch for Girls Addictive Behavior Program provides your daughter with the right opportunity to address complex issues such as substance abuse, trauma, and process addictions (e.g., internet, food, sex, etc.) from multiple modalities.
It is unrealistic to have a one size fits all model to address our girls’ difficulties. Every individual brings their own unique history, culture, environment, and experiences, which is played out in different ways. We understand how intricate these difficulties in adolescence can be and take a developmental approach to meet your daughter where she is. We strive to provide the girls with treatments supported in evidence while being sensitive to the particulars of each family.
SEEKING SAFETY
The Addictions Group is adapted from Seeking Safety, an evidence-based model of treatment for individuals impacted by substance abuse and traumatic experiences. The main principles include safety, the integration of treating substance abuse and trauma, focus on positive ideals, and providing themes from multiple perspectives (cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal). This group meets each member where they are at in their treatment by focusing on the present and giving the girls the opportunity to practice new skills, both individually and in their relationships. Whether the focus of treatment is abstinence or harm reduction, Seeking Safety provides the students with the tools needed to address the complexities inherent in substance abuse and trauma, as well as the space to explore how these issues impact their interpersonal interactions. Seeking Safety was developed by Lisa M. Najavits, Ph.D. and is supported by a number of professional journals and clinicians, such as Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP and Aaron Beck, M.D.
THE BENEFITS OF SEEKING SAFETY
Due to its balance of structure and flexibility, Seeking Safety integrates seamlessly into the girl’s individualized treatment plans. Each treatment topic provides the girls with the opportunity to practice new skills individually while providing the opportunity to discuss, learn, and refine their interpersonal skills in a group setting. Each session is accompanied with a worksheet outlining the week’s concept, which provides a concrete resource that they can always refer back to. Because safety is the cornerstone of this program, the girls will have a warm, supportive environment to discuss the complexities surrounding their difficulties in substance abuse, trauma, and addictive behaviors. Seeking Safety integrates well with aspects of the DRG treatment modalities, such as DBT, Trauma-focus therapy, and CBT.
12 STEP EDUCATION
The 12 Steps Group is adapted from the 12 Steps Program, which was developed in the 1930’s and is compiled of 12 guiding principles to help individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction to move towards recovery. The 12 Steps approach is nationally recognized and has been modified to address a variety of issues related substance abuse and dependency issues.
THE BENEFITS OF THE 12 STEP EDUCATION
The 12 Steps Education Group provides your daughter with a specific community within Discovery Ranch where she can share her difficult experiences and find support with peers. Guided by a professional with experience in the 12 Steps modality, the purpose of the group is to help educate and inform your daughter on the program’s traditions and how it can help individuals towards recovery. This group will educate your daughter on the 12 Step experience within the safety of the Discovery Ranch Community.
Additionally, we can provide your daughter with supplemental, individual counseling focused on substance abuse issues from our licensed Advance Substance Counselor, Cindy Shrum. With over 15 years of experience in the field of substance abuse, Cindy is dedicated to providing the education and support needed to help the girls address their addictive behaviors.
As the Addictions Program Director, Dr. Sidney Dang recognizes the complexities surrounding substance abuse, addictive behaviors, and mental health. He is devoted to finding the balance between utilizing an evidence-informed approach while addressing how the multicultural experience impacts identity development and relationships. In addition to providing services from multiple modalities, DRG’s addiction program challenges the girls to employ critical thinking in their treatment. Each girl explores different ways of coping as well as interventions in preventing maladaptive experiences. It is known that critical thinking strategies inoculate teens from unhealthy influences by their peers. This result directly increases their opportunity for sobriety and the development of a healthy lifestyle.
If you have additional questions please call our admissions department anytime at 855-667-9388.
About Dr. Sidney Dang:
Dr. Sidney Dang received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. Over the years, he has provided psychological services in a variety of settings including schools, residential treatment facilities, non-profit organizations, partial and inpatient hospital, outpatient, and home settings. Sidney has extensive training in many areas and, as a result, has presented at professional conferences on the adolescent subjective experience of treatment needs in residential treatment. He also has a special interest in culturally sensitive approaches to therapy, including utilizing music and hip-hop as a therapeutic intervention to help empower youth to explore their difficulties and reflect on their experiences from a critical lens. His clinical and research interests include child trauma, multiculturalism, community violence, substance abuse, and critical psychology. You can learn more about Dr. Dang and his background on our main staff page here.
About Cindy Shrum:
Cindy is our very own licensed Advance Substance Counselor with over 23 years of experience. She has worked with many individuals and various programs over the years designing the right approach/program to fit the individual needs of those she served. You can learn more about Cindy and her training and certifications on the main staff page here.