SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS
WATERTOWN, NY - Credo Community Center for the Treatment of
Addictions, Inc. is collaborating with The Seven Challenges® to bring an
evidence based substance abuse and co-occurring disorders treatment program to
adolescents in Jefferson County.
According to the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the
percentage of ninth through 12th graders who used marijuana within the previous
30 days increased since 2007 from 19.7 percent to 23.1 percent last year; the
percentage who ever tried marijuana grew during that same period from 38.1
percent to 39.9 percent. A survey in 2009 indicated 43.5 percent of high school
seniors had used alcohol in the prior month, while 27.4 percent admitted to
consuming an amount that made them feel “drunk.”
“Local educators and parents will no longer need to search
outside of the county for the support to effectively help their adolescent with
drugs and/or alcohol. Credo is now offering these services for adolescents by
establishing a partnership with parents locally to get their children the help
they need,” said Lila Love, a clinical supervisor of the new program.
The Seven Challenges® model, which was created and written
by Dr. Robert Schwebel, has become increasingly successful in targeting hard to
reach and hard to engage adolescents.
Instead of a one-size-fits all approach, the Seven Challenges Program is
individualized with careful attention to meeting youth where they are at and
providing successful counseling interventions.
This helps young people look at themselves, understand what it takes to
give up a drug abusing lifestyle, and prepare for success when they commit to
change. More information on The Seven
Challenges® can be found at www.sevenchallenges.com. Elizabeth Stevens,
clinical director of the Credo Community Center’s Outpatient clinic adds, “We
are very excited to have trained professionals ready and able to serve the
North Country to effectively make a difference in the lives of adolescents who
need interventions before their substance abuse continues on through their
adulthood.”
Dr. Schwebel has worked for more than 35 years in the
prevention and treatment of adolescent and young adult substance abuse. He has conducted training and workshop
sessions for professional and community audiences around the country, published
numerous books and articles, and developed prevention and treatment programs
for schools, and public and private agencies. Regularly called for comments and
interviews by the national and local press, Dr. Schwebel has appeared on the
Oprah Show, The Today Show, numerous CNN interviews, and The CBS Early Show.
Credo Community Center has been in the business of providing
outpatient and residential chemical dependency treatment for individuals,
groups, families, adults, adolescents and children, whose lives have been negatively
impacted by substance abuse since 1970. Credo also hosts a free family support
group at their outpatient clinic twice a month for those individuals impacted
by a family member’s substance abuse. Credo’s new collaboration with The Seven
Challenges ® will offer youth opportunities to increase self awareness, develop
skills, and utilize strengths, enabling them to become healthy, contributing
members of their communities and families.
Community professionals including school counselors, court
officials, parents, and citizens are welcome to learn more about The Seven
Challenges Program on July 31st, 2013 from 4pm-5:30 pm. Elizabeth Stevens of Credo along with Rick
Barr of The Seven Challenges® will be presenting an overview of the program at the
Credo Community Center Outpatient Clinic located at 595 W. Main Street in
Watertown, NY. For more information
regarding The Seven Challenges ® please contact Elizabeth Stevens at (315)
788-1530. For further inquiries about
the free family support group please contact Lila Love at (315) 788-1530 or
visit www.credocommunitycenter.com.
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