j anuary2013

From The President’s Desk

�is month, from the President’s Desk, comes a new year with new achievements and new challenges. In the spirit of the New Year’s Resolution, we polled our staff: In three words (sometimes four!) or less, what wisdom do you, the staff, want to impart on the Turning Point residents of 2013? How do you want to be perceived by those around you? Here isa sampling of the responses:

Self efficacy; clean, functional, safe, aesthetically pleasing; surrender, don’t quit; courage to change; remain teachable; embrace solutions; stay in the now; self-love; best chance possible; restore their dreams; love and service; accept change; accept your yesterdays; embrace individuality; fun in recovery; next right thing; HOPE; hope is available; together we thrive; follow, then lead.

My resolution for 2013, and the Turning Point mission, is simple: to give more thanI take, to give more than we take. We are looking forward to 2013 with fervency, with devoutness, and with the continued passion to help. Happy New Year!

Gratefully,

David VieauPresident, Turning Point

“I think Turning Point is the best thing evercreated. I can’t say enough about the program and the people who work there. A special shout out to Brendan, Chris and Dave. I think the three phase program is exactly what my son needed. Turning Point keeps them active, and you have to provide that for young people. I love how they teach the residents to learn how to do things without drugs or alcohol.”-Leanne

IN THIS ISSUE• From �e President’s Desk• Recreation & Lifestyle• January Activities Calendar• Resident Profile• Clinician’s Corner• Alumni Life• Employee Of �e Year• From �e Family

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RECENT TURNINGPOINT GRADUATES• Ryan B.• Blake P.• Shane M.• Wade M.

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Recreation& Lifestyle

“ Here at Turning Point, we believe that recovery is not simply about abstaining from alcohol and/or drugs; it is about learning how to enjoy life by replacing addictive behaviors with friendships and healthy activities. �at's why each month we share one of our recent recreational activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and camaraderie among ourresidents.”Dave Freedman, a member of Turning Point’s support staff, organizes recreational activities for Phase I of the program. On Tuesday, December 11, Dave and five of Turning Point’s Phase I residents hopped in a van and headed to the slopes for a day of fun in the snow at Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area.Mike M. was one of the residents who attended, and he said that the skiing trip was great. “We all stuck together for the most part, and had a really good time.” Mike believes that recreational activities are definitely beneficial to the recovery process. “I haven’t been doing much physical activity over the past several years,” Mike said. “I got really lazy, but Turning Point’s support has encouraged and pushed me to go forward. �ese activities help me realize how much I really enjoy things like this and how much I want to get back into them.”Max G. also attended the skiing trip, and has since moved on into Turning Point’s Phase II. “Out of all the activities so far at Turning Point, I’ve got to say that the ski trip was my favorite,” Max said. “�e best part was going down an impossible hill with Gary and making it to the bottom alive.” Before coming to Turning Point, Max attended a wilderness treatment program out west. �e recovery program there consisted of a few activities, but they were

all hosted on-site. “Turning Point’s rec activities are more organized, and get us much more involved,” Max said. “�ese trips get us away from the Phase I house for a while, and get the adrenaline pumping. Turning Point gets us really involved, and that definitely gets your mind off of stuff.”According to Dave, recreational activities and exercise are a large component in the recovery program at Turning Point. “It helps build camaraderie,” Dave said. “It gets the guys who stay sober together to depend on each other. �ese guys spend a lot of time gathering in small groups, and when they do these activities together it helps take them out of the clinical side and into the real-world side. It helps for the guys to build trust and to get to know one another on a deeper level.”Dave is currently planning out the next group activities. “We’re doing in-door rock climbing,” Dave said. “We’re also going to a Sound Tigers hockey game. We may go snow-tubing on a closer mountain, and we’re going to have another two skiing trips, one to Bromley Mountain in Vermont.” Hopefully residents can remember the rules of skiing and have fun, safely. Like Mike says with a big smile on his face, “If you french fry when you’re supposed to pizza, you’re gonna have a bad time.”

N E W H A V E N , C O N N E C T I C U T • W W W . T P E X T E N D E D C A R E . C O M

& Lifestyle

PIII = Phase 3

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAYWEDNESDAYTUESDAYMONDAYSUNDAY

10

17

24

11

18

12

19

9

16

23

30

8

15

22

29

7

14

21

28

6

20

27

13

January Activities Calendar

Music Studio (PI)Gym (PI)

Gym (PI)Yoga (PI)

Music Studio (PI)Family Visits (PI)

West Hartford ArtGalleries (PII)

Gym (PI)Ski Trip to Bromley, VT

(PI)

Shadow Boxing (PI)Gym (PI)

Mixed Martial Arts (PI)All Phase Dinner (P*)Alumni Meeting (P*)

Art Healing (PI)Movie Night (PI)Studio Time (PI)

Gym (PI)Music Studio (PI)

Family VisitsMovies (PII)

Sound Tigers Hockey Game (PI)

Trip to Branford Sports Complex (PII)

3 4 521Indoor Basketball (PI)

Gym (PI)Gym (PI)

Shadow Boxing (PI)Mixed Martial Arts (PI)All Phase Dinner (P*)Alumni Meeting (P*)

Ice Skating (PI)Art Healing (PI)

Music Studio (PI)Professional Bull RidersTour @ Madison Square

Garden (PIII)

Gym (PI)Music Studio (PI)

Parent VisitsMovies (PI)Movies (PII)

Recovery Karaoke (PII)

Gym (PI)Music Studio (PI)

Uconn vs. Louisville Basketball (PIII)

Gym (PI)Music Studio (PI)

Music Studio (PI)Family Visits

Yoga (PI)Gym (PI)

Gym (PI)Indoor Basketball (PI)

Family Visits

Shadow Boxing (PI)Gym (PI)

Mixed Martial Arts (PI)All Phase Dinner (P*)Alumni Meeting (P*)

Music Studio (PI)Art Healing (PI)

Indoor Rock Climbing (PI)

Skiing at Mohawk Mountain (PII)

Gym (PI)Music Studio (PI)

Family VisitsBowling (PI)

Women’s BasketballUconn vs Syracuse (PII)

Music Studio (PI)Gym (PI)

Music Studio (PI)Family Visits

Yoga (PI)Gym(PI)

Gym (PI)Indoor Paintball (PI)

Shadow Boxing (PI)Gym (PI)

Music Studio (PI)Family Visits

Yoga (PI)Gym(PI)

Movies (PII)

Gym (PI)Indoor Soccer (PI)

Gym (PI)Shadow Boxing (PI)

Mixed Martial Arts (PI)Resident/Alumni Dinner

(P*)Alumni Meeting (P*)

Gym (PI)

Music Studio (PI)Art Healing (PI)Ice Skating (PI)

Mixed Martial Arts (PI)Resident/Alumni Dinner (P*)

Alumni Meeting (P*)

Music Studio (PI)Movie Night (PI)

Gym (PI)Family VisitsBowling (PII)

Go Cart Racing (PIII)

25

31

26

PI = Phase I PII = Phase II PIII = Phase III P* = All Phases

Resident Pro�le

Mike F. is currently a Phase III resident at Turning Point after spending several years bouncing around treatment centers through-out the United States. Mike has taken a winding path to Turning Point, and he has seen more than his fair share of ups-and-downs, but he is currently on the right track in recovery and will celebrate a full year of sobriety later this month.

Mike’s story, in regards to drugs and alcohol, began in his early teenage years. “I started drinking and smoking weed when I was about 14 years old, right when high school started,” Mike said. “I got into cocaine later in high school, and when I went away to college at 18 I was more into cocaine and was introduced to Oxycontin.” Unlike many people, Mike did not undergo any major social change in these first few years of habitual drug usage. “I hung out with the same friends,” Mike said. “We were all into the same things together, and a bunch of them have also gone into rehab. I think I was the most extreme, though, and I veered into that path during college.”

In 2007, at the age of 20, Mike was entered into his first treatment experience at a hospital in Connecticut. “While there I was kind of enlightened to all the different drugs out there, especially heroin,” Mike said. After leaving, he tried heroin for the first time with a girl that he met during treatment, marking his descent to eventual intravenous drug use.

After the initial experience with heroin, Mike went into treatment again that same year, this time at a recovery center in Connecticut. “After getting out, I was OK for a little while,” Mike said. “But things got bad in 2008. I started using Oxycontin again, and I first started shooting heroin toward the end of 2008. Around June 2009 I went to [a treatment center] in New York. I was definitely reluc-tant to go, but I was getting evicted and my parents were threaten-ing to press charges. My back was against the wall.”

After completing detox in New York, Mike was sent by his parents to a program in Florida. He relapsed after a month there and the counselors followed policy by putting him out on the street for seven days. “I was miserable,” Mike said. “I got a job through the program working at a grocery store, and started getting high again.”

Mike was caught during his relapse at the center’s transitional program and was kicked out, ending up on the street and actually having to fend for himself for the first time ever. “Back in Connecti-cut I was able to steal from my parents, but I couldn’t in Florida. �at led to a lot of criminal behavior. I was down there for two years, stealing to get high and sharing needles.”

In June 2011, Mike’s mother came to visit and was frightened by the condition in which her son was living. “I looked like death,” Mike said. “She brought me back up north, and I went into detox.” After detox, Mike entered Turning Point for the first time, marking another critical moment in his life up to that point. “I was pretty beat up from my last run. At this point I definitely knew that I was powerless over my addiction. I knew that my life was in jeopardy, but as far as being willing to do the work, I wasn’t quite there yet. I didn’t go to AA meetings, and didn’t believe in recovery. I was pretty miserable, and just wanted to get high.”

Mike’s initial residency at Turning Point was cut short when he was kicked out after an altercation with another resident. �e next four months were a critical time in Mike’s life. He started using heavily again, sliding into severe debt with his landlord and stealing his parents’ car. “�e day after Christmas I got high in my dealer’s house, and crashed the car on I-95,” Mike said. “�at was the last huge occurrence that made things click in my head. I was lucky that no police came and I didn’t overdose. “

Following this incident, Mike went to Hazelden in Minnesota where he successfully completed the program and contacted Turn-ing Point in the hopes of returning for a second time for extended care and sober living. Mike officially became a resident again at Turning Point in New Haven on January 26, 2012, and since then he has improved his condition dramatically.

Despite the mistakes and wrong turns along the way, Mike is now on the right path to recovery and is taking the necessary steps to turn his life around. He is a good example to fellow residents that life can get better, if you put in the hard work and make the right choices. Mike is currently in Phase III of the program, and works as a member of Turning Point’s support staff at the Phase II facility. He plans to stay in the New Haven area and continue his education, and he hopes to eventually enter one of the state’s nursing programs.

“I’ve never been this good,” Mike said. “I have my priorities straight this time around, and I realized what I had to do. I think Turning Point is a great program. It was hard to deal with the fact that it’s a whole year, but that amount of time in a structured environment is necessary to get the program and let it click. I’m glad that I was able to come back to Turning Point, and I’m grateful that they gave me the support.”

“ Our Res ident Profile highl ight s a current Turning Point re s ident .�is month we focus on Mike F. , who came to Turning Point af tercomplet ing primary treatment at Hazelden Treatment Center inCenter City , MN.”

Dave Freedman, a member of Turning Point’s support staff, organizes recreational activities for Phase I of the program. On Tuesday, December 11, Dave and five of Turning Point’s Phase I residents hopped in a van and headed to the slopes for a day of fun in the snow at Killington Mountain Resort & Ski Area.Mike M. was one of the residents who attended, and he said that the skiing trip was great. “We all stuck together for the most part, and had a really good time.” Mike believes that recreational activities are definitely beneficial to the recovery process. “I haven’t been doing much physical activity over the past several years,” Mike said. “I got really lazy, but Turning Point’s support has encouraged and pushed me to go forward. �ese activities help me realize how much I really enjoy things like this and how much I want to get back into them.”Max G. also attended the skiing trip, and has since moved on into Turning Point’s Phase II. “Out of all the activities so far at Turning Point, I’ve got to say that the ski trip was my favorite,” Max said. “�e best part was going down an impossible hill with Gary and making it to the bottom alive.” Before coming to Turning Point, Max attended a wilderness treatment program out west. �e recovery program there consisted of a few activities, but they were

all hosted on-site. “Turning Point’s rec activities are more organized, and get us much more involved,” Max said. “�ese trips get us away from the Phase I house for a while, and get the adrenaline pumping. Turning Point gets us really involved, and that definitely gets your mind off of stuff.”According to Dave, recreational activities and exercise are a large component in the recovery program at Turning Point. “It helps build camaraderie,” Dave said. “It gets the guys who stay sober together to depend on each other. �ese guys spend a lot of time gathering in small groups, and when they do these activities together it helps take them out of the clinical side and into the real-world side. It helps for the guys to build trust and to get to know one another on a deeper level.”Dave is currently planning out the next group activities. “We’re doing in-door rock climbing,” Dave said. “We’re also going to a Sound Tigers hockey game. We may go snow-tubing on a closer mountain, and we’re going to have another two skiing trips, one to Bromley Mountain in Vermont.” Hopefully residents can remember the rules of skiing and have fun, safely. Like Mike says with a big smile on his face, “If you french fry when you’re supposed to pizza, you’re gonna have a bad time.”

Pro�le2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

• AJ H.

OTHER NOTABLEANNIVERSARIES

11 MONTHS• Eugene V.• Mike W.

10 MONTHS• Henry T.• Conor L.• Mike L.

9 MONTHS• Mike F.• Mark H.• Ross C.• Tyler J.• Dustin S.

Clinician’s Corner

SPOTLIGHT:Assessing for a Drug and/or Alcohol ProblemAs an addictions specialist one of the most frequent questions I receive is “How do you know if an adolescent has a drug/alcohol problem?” Despite what some may think, this can be an extremely difficult question to answer.

One reason in particular, is that it is important not to answer this question in an overly simplistic or complicated fashion. Simplifying the issue causes us to lose the sensitivity needed to guard against jumping to conclusions. Alternatively, if in our efforts to answerthis question we become entangled in complexity, we are apt be blinded to the reality thata true substance abuse problem is at hand. We must be cautious to not label a teenager as an addict and send them off to “rehab” prematurely. Additionally, we must not accept excusesor exhibit enabling behavior when a teenager exhibits a bona fide substance abuse problem.

A second reason for the difficulty in answering this question is that it is a tremendously personal issue. All of us have our own ways of defining a problem. Within the field of addictions, there is a variety of criteria that can be used to identify substance abuse and/or dependence. A graduate professor of mine said that substance abuse “is probably one of the only self-diagnosable conditions in all of mental and physical health.” So, prior to answering this question we first need to work with the individual to determine what his-her definition of a problem is.

Rather than continue to harp on what makes answering these questions so difficult, let me offer some thoughts on specific ways to assess if a substance abuse problem exists. To start, let’s borrow a slogan from Alcoholics Anonymous, “If you’re having problems because of your drinking then you have a drinking problem.” �is important slogan does well to keepus grounded in remembering that the use of alcohol and/or drugs can warrant an interven-tion, well before it reaches the level of abuse or addiction.

I have found through my work that there are numerous domains that must be considered to truly understand the level of abuse or addiction. Below are considerations and steps that must be explored to understand if a problem exists and to best clarify the picture:

1. Assessing and understanding the adolescent’s developmental stage.

2. Exploring the family’s interactions and dynamics.

3. Determining what risk and protective factors are present.

4. Determining if there is a level of impaired control. (Have they wanted or attempted to cut down on their use or tried to set limits?)

5. How motivated are they to change?

6. Is there a family history of substance use?

7. What are the substance use patterns?

8. What was the age of initiation?

Only through careful assessment of these variables can we determine if a problem exists.A thorough assessment phase is crucial in setting the stage for our future work with each adolescent. It is an important tool that provides the foundation necessary to work closely with each client towards positive change.

Presentations are available on the assessment and intervention of adolescent substance abuse and we would be happy to discuss providing this service to you.

Andy Buccaro, LCSWExecutive Director, Center for Change

Andy Buccaro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his Masters in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University. With credentials in both mental health and substance abuse, combined with over a decade of experience, Andy provides leadership and clinical services that include thoughtful and compassionate interventions.

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

• Jared E.• Andrew F.• Alex S.• Michael F.• Frank L.• Sasha Z.• Mike F.• Mike W.• Eric Z.

Alumni Life

Jeff R. is a recent graduate from the Turning Point program followinga residency that lasted a little under a year, from October 26, 2011, to October 1, 2012. Like many of Turning Point’s residents, Jeff began the use of drugs and alcohol during his early teenage years and his path to Turning Point brought him through several other treatment centers.

“I started doing drugs when I was 14 or 15,” Jeff said. “I began by drinkingand smoking pot, and later went on to the harder stuff like LSD, ecstasy, mushrooms, and pills. I was a habitual user of acid for about five years.Every couple of days I’d do like ten hits, and that continued for a few years.” Jeff’s continual drug use altered his entire lifestyle as a young adult. “I don’t completely remember the past six years of my life, because of the amount of drugs that I did. From what I was told I hung out with all the druggies, and abandoned all of the childhood friends that I had.”

On August 8, 2011, Jeff was in a car accident, an event that spurred him and his family to take action. “I don’t really remember everything,” Jeff said. “I sat down with my parents, and decided to go into treatment.” Jeff’s initial primary care facility was Mirmont Treatment Center in Pennsylvania. While Jeff was there, counselors recommended Park Bench Group Counseling in New Jersey, which subsequently referred him to Turning Point Extended Care and Sober Living after a 47-day stay.

“�e recreational activities at Turning Point were extremely important,” Jeff said. “During any downtime that I had, I would just be in my own head, and that’s not good for recovery.” In addition to recreation, Turning Point’s steps and program phases were crucial to Jeff’s recovery. “I think that, for me, progression through the steps was the most helpful,” Jeff said. “My case managers made sure that I was working on my steps with my sponsor, and being able to do that, while working at Turning Point, aided in my recovery.”

“Before treatment, I wasn’t really doing anything. I would just sit around with friends and get high. At Turning Point, I was doing all the activities that were available. I was onboard with everything during recovery.

Everything they told me to do, I was completely willing to do.”

While a resident, Jeff worked as house manager for Turning Point’s Phase III Morris Cove location, and since graduation he is continuing his work as a member of support staff for Phase II. “Working with the residents helps my sobriety,” Jeff said. “As a house manager, I noticed that working for Turning Point shows you the whole other side of addiction recovery. I think it’s nice to give back to a place that’s helped me out so much.”

Jeff is currently studying Computer Systems at Gateway Community College, and plans to work in the computer field after graduation. Since completing his treatment, Jeff spends the majority of his time working, going to school, and hanging out with friends. Although he will go home to visit his family in Pennsylvania, Jeff plans to live in New Haven at his current sober house where he has a good support network.

“I would definitely recommend Turning Point,” Jeff said. “�ey helped me out so much. I went from having horrible friend/family relationships and stealing cars to having friends from my childhood wanting to hang out with me. I have a great relationship with my family, and I have friends here that can come to me if they need me.”

“ Here in Alumni Life we share the experiences of a Turning Point graduate who exemplifies the principles of sobriety,maturity, and gratitude.”

Employee Of The Year At our annual Christmas party on Friday December 21st at the Omni Hotel in downtown New Haven, David Vieau presented a number of awards to Turning Point employees for their outstanding service. One of these awards was “2012 Employee of the Year”. �e winner? Bret Tiberio, of course. Brett, who currently serves as the company’s Business Manager, embodies several of Turning Point’s core values, and is a shining example to those around him of a successful recovery.

Brett first came to Turning Point as a resident in November of 2009, on the day before �anksgiving. While in Phase III of the program, he began volunteer-ing in the Turning Point business office during February of 2010, where he would help with various administrative tasks like filing paperwork and conduct-ing follow-up phone calls with alumni.

Brett began officially working for Turning Point in June of 2010. He began as an office assistant, answer-ing phones, and directing traffic, and within the first couple of months, he began taking over other duties. “�is guy was a super star from day one”, said Turning Point President David Vieau. “Not only from a recovery standpoint, but also as an employee.” “We recognized very quickly that we had something special

here and that he would add a tremendous amount of value to the organization.”

“Right now my job duties primarily revolve around managing the incoming and outgoing money of the organization,” Brett said. “I also think there’s a lot of problem solving involved. I help to make sure that the program operates smoothly, and as intended.” In addition to the technical aspects of working as a business manager, Brett said that there is a lot of human resources work, including handling any issues relayed to him from clients or families, as well as any staff-related problems.

“�e most important part of my job is ensuring that Turning Point is financially sound,” Brett said. “I have to make sure we can pay the 70-plus employees, and there are a lot of people relying on that one basic function. It’s also important for me to be available to families and clients so that I can answer questions, listen to concerns, and come up with solutions to potential problems.”

“�e most rewarding part of working with Turning Point is that I am able to witness the positive change in the residents,” Brett said. “Being able to see someone

come in on day one, and see how much they’ve grown as a person by the time they graduate is incredible. I don’t cry very often, but it almost brings a tear to my eyes sometimes.”

“Seeing change in my own life, and the change in others over the past years, has made me a believer in the Turning Point process. Having lived and learned, I can relate 100% to what these guys are going through. I’m so enmeshed in this environment; I show up every day and give it my all. I come to work with a smile on my face, happy to be here. I’m at work to work, and I enjoy it. As long as we’re helping people, and as long as people are getting better, I’m not going anywhere. I want to feel fulfilled with what I’m doing with my life, and I get that here.”

Brett Tiberio

OTHER NOTABLEANNIVERSARIES8 MONTHS• Jack R.• Ben D.• Jeff C.• Ben M.• David M.

7 MONTHS• Scott R.• Matt E.• Lukas G.• Anthony S.• Craig D.• Tim H.

6 MONTHS• Michael K.• Chris S.• Noah M.• Vincent F.• Max Y.• Brian T.• Wills M.

5 MONTHS• Matthew W.• Derek P.• Casey O.• Andrew S.• Michael P.• Rhys D.

4 MONTHS• Fletcher P.• Max G.• Alex L.• Branden C.• Jack G.• Marcus C.• Dale C.

3 MONTHS• Ryan C. • Ethan B.• Eric V. • Arjun P.• Douglas K. • Stephen H.• Peter D. • Alex F.• Dylan D. • Max S.• Ben K.• Jacob K.

From The Family

Leanne is the mother of Shane M., a former resident at Turning Point who graduated December 3, 2012. Like many residents, Shane came to Turning Point following a recommendation from a previous primary treatment center.

According to Leanne, Shane began using drugs heavily in 2011, primarily cocaine and Oxycontin.“It was bad,” Leanne said. “It began to spiral out of control, but we were fortunate to catch it soon.He didn’t have time to do the horrible things that you hear about; he didn’t sell anything or steal any valuables from us. Shane’s boss called and told me that I had to do something right away. People told me I had to do this intervention and told me I had to do something that went against everything I believe in as a mother: change the locks and tell my son he couldn’t come home unless he got treatment. �is time last year you couldn’t even talk to me I was so devastated with my actions.”

Leanne, her family, and Shane’s boss at the time, organized an intervention on December 9, 2011. Before Leanne’s intervention, her family and friends noticed a change in Shane’s personality that shewas unable to see clearly at the time. “He didn’t’ want to be around us as much,” Leanne said. “Before he started using, Shane would hang out with me and my friends, but that changed. I couldn’t see the signs at first, but looking back I can see it.”

�e month of the intervention was a trying time for Leanne and her family, but Shane became dedicated to his recovery and enrolled in a six-day detox at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan. Following his detox, Shane went to Mountainside Treatment Center where it was recommended that he transition to an extended care sober living environment after completing the program. According to Leanne, the counselors at Mountainside suggested several places, and Shane chose Turning Point after researching and interviewing with all of the programs.

“Our whole goal was to have him become an independent adult,” Leanne said, and she attributesShane’s recovery to both his dedication and the Turning Point program. “At the end of the day it washis choice, he put in the hard work, and I have to thank Shane for proving people wrong. I didn’t lose Shane, my job or my husband. Some people actually told me I would lose at least one. It’s amazing that I got my son back; he’s back to his old self.”

“I think Turning Point is the best thing ever created,” Leanne said. “I can’t say enough about the program and the people who work there. A special shout out to Brendan, Chris and Dave. I think the three phase program is exactly what my son needed. Turning Point keeps them active, and you have to provide that for young people. I love how they teach the residents to learn how to do things without drugs or alcohol. I tell people that I learned so much this past year. �ings that I never knew and probably didn’t want to know, but looking back; there’s grace in those details. �ere should be more programs out there like Turning Point.”

According to Leanne, Shane is grateful and appreciative following his stay at Turning Point. Since graduation, Shane is living in an apartment in Branford, CT with two other Turning Point graduates, and has a full-time job at Premier Subaru. “Having his own apartment, and being on his own means everything to Shane,” Leanne said. “He is proud, and we are, too. I don’t think he, or we, could be happier.”

For More Information Call203.937.2309

SPOTLIGHT:Assessing for a Drug and/or Alcohol ProblemAs an addictions specialist one of the most frequent questions I receive is “How do you know if an adolescent has a drug/alcohol problem?” Despite what some may think, this can be an extremely difficult question to answer.

One reason in particular, is that it is important not to answer this question in an overly simplistic or complicated fashion. Simplifying the issue causes us to lose the sensitivity needed to guard against jumping to conclusions. Alternatively, if in our efforts to answerthis question we become entangled in complexity, we are apt be blinded to the reality thata true substance abuse problem is at hand. We must be cautious to not label a teenager as an addict and send them off to “rehab” prematurely. Additionally, we must not accept excusesor exhibit enabling behavior when a teenager exhibits a bona fide substance abuse problem.

A second reason for the difficulty in answering this question is that it is a tremendously personal issue. All of us have our own ways of defining a problem. Within the field of addictions, there is a variety of criteria that can be used to identify substance abuse and/or dependence. A graduate professor of mine said that substance abuse “is probably one of the only self-diagnosable conditions in all of mental and physical health.” So, prior to answering this question we first need to work with the individual to determine what his-her definition of a problem is.

Rather than continue to harp on what makes answering these questions so difficult, let me offer some thoughts on specific ways to assess if a substance abuse problem exists. To start, let’s borrow a slogan from Alcoholics Anonymous, “If you’re having problems because of your drinking then you have a drinking problem.” �is important slogan does well to keepus grounded in remembering that the use of alcohol and/or drugs can warrant an interven-tion, well before it reaches the level of abuse or addiction.

I have found through my work that there are numerous domains that must be considered to truly understand the level of abuse or addiction. Below are considerations and steps that must be explored to understand if a problem exists and to best clarify the picture:

1. Assessing and understanding the adolescent’s developmental stage.

2. Exploring the family’s interactions and dynamics.

3. Determining what risk and protective factors are present.

4. Determining if there is a level of impaired control. (Have they wanted or attempted to cut down on their use or tried to set limits?)

5. How motivated are they to change?

6. Is there a family history of substance use?

7. What are the substance use patterns?

8. What was the age of initiation?

Only through careful assessment of these variables can we determine if a problem exists.A thorough assessment phase is crucial in setting the stage for our future work with each adolescent. It is an important tool that provides the foundation necessary to work closely with each client towards positive change.

Presentations are available on the assessment and intervention of adolescent substance abuse and we would be happy to discuss providing this service to you.

Andy Buccaro, LCSWExecutive Director, Center for Change

helping young men succeed in recovery...and life

Inpatient treatment for addiction is only the first step on a young man’s road to recovery. Turning Point’s three phase program of reintegration exposes young men to a drug-free world gradually as they develop recovery skills around self, family and community and take those skills and knowledge into life after treatment. Combining graduated sober living with integrated outpatient treatment services, our young men build on the gains made in primary treatment while developing a sustainable sober lifestyle.

For More Information Call203.937.2309

Websitewww.tpextendedcare.com

Email Usinfo@tpextendedcare.com