MADISON – Connections Counseling is excited to provide teens in the greater Madison area with more resources and opportunities for recovery with a new Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) beginning on January 18. The program allows teens struggling with substance abuse issues to focus on recovery while staying in their home environment.
This is an evidenced-based program intended for individuals who need more intensive treatment than traditional outpatient counseling or as a transition from residential treatment. Candidates for this program are teens between ages 13-18 who have experienced changes in school, home, family and personal lives due to alcohol or drug use.
Cory Divine, Director of the IOP, said the organization recognized the need for more intensive substance abuse treatment for adolescents with the rise in opiate use as well as the changing attitudes towards marijuana. “Connections Counseling is a well-established, well-respected organization known for adolescent services. We want to build on our strengths to fill this need,” Divine said.
Research shows the younger an adolescent begins abusing substances, the more likely they are to become dependent on one or more illicit substances over their lifetime. The focus of the adolescent treatment program is a motivational approach to engage youth in long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol while also addressing other co-occurring issues that may exist.
The program will provide experiential and educational groups in addition to therapeutic groups. Groups will focus on relapse prevention strategies, life skills, recovery principles and emotional coping skills. Clients will also have opportunities to participate in yoga, meditation and art therapy. Teens are provided with 12-step involvement, speakers and mentors. The IOP also provides important education and support for their families.
Connections Counseling is in their third year of providing IOP for adults and offers a variety of other substance abuse and mental health services for adolescents and adults. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (608) 233-2100.