Teen Drug Addiction Help

Substance abuse includes misuse of and addiction to legal and illegal substances. Substance abuse boarding schools are facilities where students both receive treatment for their substance abuse and attend classes. This article discusses various substance abuse boarding schools.

The Range of Substance Abuse Boarding Schools

There are live-in programs of several types that both treat substance abuse and have a school/academic program. Some are coeducational, while others treat only boys or only girls. Different programs have different expectations for how long the treatment program will last. Some have a program philosophy that can be characterized as Christian, 12-Steps to recovery, or experiential therapy based.

Some Examples of Substance Abuse Boarding Schools

The criteria that I have used for this listing of substance abuse boarding schools is that they have an accredited academic program, a licensed treatment program, and membership in the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. I did not take into account whether or not it is called a “boarding school” as long as it was a boarding program that includes a school component in the treatment. This list is only those programs that show up towards the beginning of the alphabet the NATSAP directory search on “substance abuse” (http://www.natsap.org/search.asp#Category%20Search) to give you an idea of what is available.

• Aspen Achievement Academy - The Aspen Achievement Academy is a wilderness program in Loa, Utah. It was founded in 1989 and treats single-gender groups of boys and girls aged 13 to 17 in 8-person groups. The academic program is accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) and the North Central Association (NCA). There is a 35-day minimum stay.
• Aspen Ranch - Aspen Ranch is a residential treatment center in Loa, Utah on a ranch where equine-assisted psychotherapy is part of the program. It was founded in 1995 and treats coeducational groups of teens aged 13 to 18 with an enrollment  capacity of 80. The academic program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools through Woodland Hills School and the California Non-Public School Accreditation. The stay duration is 6 to 12 months.
• Catalyst Residential Treatment, LLC - Catalyst is a residential treatment center in Brigham City, Utah. It was founded in 2006 and treats boys aged 14 to 17 with an enrollment capacity of 24. The academic program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools through Domingues Hills Academy. The duration of stay is as needed.
• Cedar Ridge Academy - Cedar Ridge is a therapeutic boarding school in Roosevelt, Utah. It was founded in 1996 and treats boys and girls aged 13 to 17 with an enrollment of 70. The academic program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. The duration of stay is 10 to 14 months.
• Discovery Academy - Discovery Academy is a therapeutic boarding school in West Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1989 and treats boys and girls aged 12 to 18 with an enrollment  capacity of 77. The academic program is accredited by the  the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. The duration of stay is 6 to 18 months.  The program emphasizes “Experiential therapy.”
• Discovery Ranch - Discovery Ranch is a residential treatment center in West Mapleton, Utah. It was founded in 2005 and treats boys and girls aged 13 to 17 with an enrollment capacity of 44. The academic program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS) through Discovery Academy, The duration of stay is 8 to 10 months.
• Eckerd Academy of the Blue Ridge - Eckerd Academy of the Blue Ridge is an outdoor therapeutic program in Suches, Georgia. It was founded in 1996 and treats boys and girls aged 10 to 17 in single-gender groups with an enrollment capacity of 60. The academic program is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools and the Secondary Commission Special Purpose Schools (SACS). The duration of stay is 6 to 9 months.
• Elk Mountain Academy - Elk Mountain Academy is a therapeutic boarding school in Heron, Montana. It was founded in 1994 and treats boys aged 14 to 18 with an enrollment capacity of 25. The academic program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and the Idaho State Board of Education. The duration of stay is 12 months. The program is 12-Step based.
• Evangel House® Christian Academy - Evangel House Christian Academy is a therapeutic boarding school in St. Martinville, Louisiana. It was founded in 1995 and treats girls aged 12 to 18 with an enrollment capacity of 17. The academic program is accredited by the Louisiana Department of Education, Non Public Schools. The duration of stay is 12-24 months. The program is based on Christian values and the curriculum is that of Lighthouse Christian Academy, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).