Founded
in 1991 by Hamish White our vision is to encourage and support chemically
dependent young people to adapt a clean and sober lifestyle.
We believe addiction is a primary and progressive disorder that can prevent
young people from achieving their true potential. School, relationships
and mental health often suffer as a result of substance abuse. Untreated
chemical dependency can lead to legal problems, hospitalizations and sometimes
death.
We believe at least 90% of students will try alcohol or drugs before they
finish high school and that one in five of these young people will develop
chemical dependency. The average age of first use for boys is 11 years;
for girls, 12 years.
Pleasure / Passion / Purpose
Teens
begin to use alcohol/ drugs out of curiosity and may continue with their
peers because they "like to use", or for pleasure. Young people
report they use for good reasons, to feel good, to fit in, to relax. Some,
not all, will continue to use and begin to "love to use"...
passion. As this preoccupation with the effects of the drug and it's culture
continues other interests like sports, hobbies and academics take a back
seat. Arguments with parents and family can accompany this stage. The
final stage, "living to use" means that the young persons sole
purpose is to get and use drugs. Families may notice frequent lying, stealing,
legal problems and aggressive behaviour and change in weight, hygiene
and values.
Loss of Control / Denial
Denial tells the teenage abuser that they can control use by themselves,
and that they can stop using any time they really want to, if only everyone
would just leave them alone. Concern expressed by parents, teachers and
significant others, even peers is dismissed. Loss of judgment and self-esteem
occurs, with an increase in denial and the accompanying anger and depression.
These characteristics are examples of manifestations of the chief symptom
of chemical dependency; Loss of Control. Chemical use persists despite
the obvious consequences suffered.
Recovery
Many chemically dependent young people are clean and sober and enjoying
their lives in a way that they had not previously thought possible. They
have developed a network of sober friends, have renewed their family relationships
and are following their chosen pursuits in a way that they find rewarding
and fulfilling. Some have attended in-patient treatment centres and attend
after-care at Recovery Counselling Services, while others have been able
to develop and maintain their sobriety through out-patient care and from
community supports such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
If you are a concerned parent, friend, teacher or employer there is help.
The First Step... Where to Start
At Recovery Counselling Services we have created a comprehensive, assessment
system that will determine if, and to what degree, chemical dependency
is a problem in a young persons life.
Assessment
Procedure
Measures such as the Adolescent Subtle Screening Inventory S.A.S.S.I.
and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, M.M.P.I. are employed
including collateral information gathering from families, schools and
other involved health professionals. Detailed life and drug use/abuse
histories are taken from the young person and examined. Mental health
issues are explored and assessed. The service is both professional, confidential
and caring. We then give any treatment recommendations to the young person
and to the family, school or referring health professional. Clients assessed
as needing in-patient treatment before they can access our services can
be referred to a treatment centre for primary treatment. We are experienced
in matching clients with the most appropriate adolescent centres.
Adolescent
Services:
Chemically dependent teens and their families often have very special
needs. Special after-care and family groups are provided to meet their
requirements. Separate assessment, intervention, treatment planning, and
referral services are provided to families, agencies and schools for this
population.
Parent Group:
This weekly group is designed to provide a therapeutic and supportive
forum for parents of teens who may or may not be in recovery. Parents
& guardians report that they felt they were alone until they joined this
group and began addressing specific issues common to families in early
recovery.
Referral Process: Simply call us at (416) 640-1061 to arrange for
an assessment interview or for a family education session.
More
Adolescent Services:
Step One Mentorship Group:
Meeting weekly this is group is for young people who have admitted that
they have a problem with drugs or alcohol but are not sure what, if anything,
they want to do about it. Supported by other young people who have been
clean and sober for awhile this group provides the newcomer with a perspective
different from their drug using peers. Led by Hazelden trained Dave Saxby
assignments, tasks and exercises are assigned to the group that help identify
the negative consequences and the faulty thinking process that often accompanies
drug abuse.
Adolescent Recovery and After-care Group:
This is a support group for adolescents who have accepted their chemical
dependency and have made a choice to stay clean and sober. Often these
young people have attended a treatment centre and are continuing the care
that that began in the in-patient centre. Some have come to the group
through the out-patient services at Recovery Counselling services.
Individual Adolescent Counselling:
From three times a week to biweekly young people are supported by Hamish
White or another addiction specialist from the team for 45 minute sessions.
Issues common to sobriety, recovery and relapse are discussed and processed.
Usually young people are living at home and trying to establish new and
healthier boundaries with their parents. Parent want to be strict having
been fooled by he addiction in the past while the teen wants some time
to go out with sober friends. Healthy compromises can be reached.
Family Sessions:
The family has learned to adapt to the drug using adolescent often in
inappropriate ways. These consultations, involving the whole household,
help the family to respond to and support one another in healthy ways.
Usually young people are living at home and trying to establish new and
healthier boundaries with their parents. Parents want to be strict, having
been fooled by he addiction in the past, while the teen wants some freedom
and time to go out with sober friends. Healthy compromises can be reached
in these discussions. Home contracts or covenants can be drawn up that
help each family member play the supportive part that they have agreed
to in the conferences. These conferences can be scheduled on a regular
basis or can be called by any family member when the need arises.
Referral
Process:
Simply call us at (416) 640-1061 to arrange for an assessment interview
or for a family education session. Email us for more information.
Location:
Recovery Counselling Services
4211 Yonge St., Suite 302
Toronto, Ontario
M2P 2A9
Just north of York Mills, and the York Mills Subway, just south of the 401 on the east side of Yonge in the building where there is a Swiss Chalet.
Parking Available