Finding real solutions and providing needed support

The overall goals of our programs are to provide a safe therapeutic environment that encourages and promotes recovery. The programs are abstinence-based and appropriate for individuals for whom abstaining appears warranted. Together, we attempt to support and foster healthy, responsible changes in behavior that can lead to healthier lives for all–the patient, their families and those in the community.

ACS is excited to continue offering groups for adults wanting extra support. Substance abuse support groups are also appropriate for adults who are thinking about quitting or wondering if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. The groups are a positive and supportive experience that attempt to provide a safe, therapeutic environment that encourages and promotes recovery. All our groups are open groups, where new members may start at any time. The specific topics covered in the group and the specific approaches used will depend on what might be most helpful for the group at a given time.

AODA GROUP SCHEDULE

The substance abuse programs offer a number of different choices including both individual and group counseling. Group therapy has many levels of treatment, which can include Day Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Programming, Primary Outpatient Education/ Processing Groups and Relapse Prevention Programming. Participants are strongly encouraged to use outside resources such as AA/NA as well. Group topics are client-driven (vs. program-driven) and tailored to address the specific recovery needs of the current group. Topics that might be group-specific include gender-specific coping skills or recovering in a family with active substance abuse. Each client will receive complete case management services designed to specifically address their needs. This will include psychological testing or a psychiatric evaluation as needed. A physician will be available to provide medical and clinical consultation. Treatment services are delivered by a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, who are supervised by the Program Director.

The length of each program will be determined by the lead therapist and the patience’s prognosis, depending on the patient’s individual needs. Patients with greater coping skills, shorter AODA history and more social support will be transitioned to less intensive levels of treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Programing or IOP operates on a small scale and does not require the intensive residential or partial day services typically offered by larger, more comprehensive treatment facilities. Our IOP program offers group and individual services of 10–12 hours a week. IOP allows our patients to participate in their daily affairs, such as work, and then participate in treatment at an appropriate facility in the morning or at the end of the day.

Primary Outpatient Education/ Processing Groups for Aftercare meets one to three times per week for 1.5 hours per session. Clients will continue to work on program materials and strengthen their outside support systems to ensure long-term sobriety.

Relapse Prevention Program is for adults with three-plus months of sobriety. In the Relapse Prevention Program, clients will work to maintain their sobriety plan and use the group process and extra support to gain a long-term sober lifestyle. Relapse Prevention groups meet once per week.

Substance Abuse Christian Counseling

ACS’s AODA treatment program qualifies to meet the treatment recommendations for Driver Safety Plans for clients who have received an OWI. The Driver Safety Plan process begins with a DMV risk assessment. Each county has a DMV certified assessment center for driver’s safety plans. In Washington County, WI this assessment center is a non-profit called Elevate located in Jackson, WI (www.elevateyou.org). Length and duration of treatment is dependent on number of OWIs and other factors that demonstrate clinical need.

Clients do not have to wait until they are convicted or have a Driver Safety Plan in place to start the treatment process at ACS. Starting treatment quickly after an OWI arrest helps clients on the path towards healthy life choices, demonstrates personal responsibility and willingness to change to the court, and can be counted towards future Driver Safety Plan Requirements. ACS therapists frequently write letters for court and communicate with Driver Safety Plan assessors to help clients demonstrate their work in therapy.

The support generated by the participation of family and significant others often play a critical role in the success of a person’s recovery. Educating the family about addiction and recovery is usually helpful in the success of a person’s recovery process. Family involvement in the assessment and treatment process is strongly encouraged and may be integrated as a required part of treatment by the treatment provider, depending on the nature of the referral. ACS offers family therapy day on the last Saturday of each month. Once enrolled in the program, loved ones will receive more information regarding this fun, fulfilling, and educational experience.

Learning to Let Go and Still Love – This group is for adults who are struggling with a loved ones chemical dependency or mental illness. Group members will learn about addiction, mental illness, codependency and better understand the relationship with their loved ones.

Group members often feel angry, anxious and confused about how to help their loved ones without enabling them. Group members will have the opportunity to talk to others in similar situations, develop coping skills for themselves, and understand boundaries and ways to communicate with loved ones. The goal is for group members to develop an overall acceptance of Letting Go of what they cannot control, and ways to control what they can.

This group is held on Saturdays, 9:00am-10:30am in our West Bend office. Carol Reichardt, LCSW, CSAC and Ashley Schmitz, LPC, CSAC are the facilitators of this group.

AODA GROUP SCHEDULE