A number of local and state government agencies are supporting the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) in Phoenix AZ. The ASP is an initiative of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). The ASP was created to work with the Arizona State Board of Nursing, the Arizona Department of Community Corrections and several state mental health facilities. Each facility has been assigned a counselor that helps to coordinate the treatment of teenagers suffering from substance abuse. The ASP program is specifically geared toward teenagers who have been involved in family issues, domestic violence, gang-related activities or other criminal activities. The ASP also aims to decrease the numbers of teen suicides.
ASP counselors work closely with youth to help them get into recovery while at the same time providing individual and family counseling. When you contact an ASP counselor, they will determine what steps need to be taken for your child to successfully complete his or her rehabilitation. These steps will include individual and family counseling, participation in special classes and the development of a plan to combat substance abuse. Once a plan is in place, the plan is monitored by the ASP program coordinator. This program coordinator also works closely with the county and state law enforcement authorities to help provide support and assistance to children in the treatment program.
As part of the ASP program, the youth have to be under the care and supervision of a licensed psychologist. The psychologist needs to be a certified mental health therapist or psychologist. After your child completes his or her treatment program, he or she is then evaluated by an adolescent substance abuse treatment team. If your child is still determined to be an addict, the treatment team may recommend that the family participate in a 12 Step program designed to help them change their behavior. In most cases, once your child has completed the program they are free from the addictive behaviors and they can begin to live a drug-free life.
