For those young men who enter Salem4youth with addictive behaviors, Salem has created a Substance Abuse and Addictive Habits Program that specifically addresses the core issues that families are facing as they grapple with the problem of a son with addictive tendencies. In partnership with New Day Recovery, a Biblically based Counseling Support program that was founded by Dan Johnson, the Substance Abuse and Addictive Habits Program supports the overall Restorative Phase Program of Salem. For all families who are considering Salem for your son, during the Intake Process, this program will be presented as an additional option. The Objectives of the Substance Abuse and Addictive Habits Program is as follows:
Objectives:
- To address the challenge of substance abuse/addictive habits among students at Salem4youth.
- To provide opportunity for students to understand and respond properly to past use.
- To prepare students to live in freedom once they have left Salem4youth.
- To educate parents on the challenges of substance abuse and equip them to be a positive force in their son’s life.
Program Features:
For all families who have chosen to have their son involved in the Substance Abuse and Addictive Habits Program, you and your son will agree to be involved in the following:
- Class Sessions: All residents who are in this program will begin to be involved in group sessions once they have reached the Achiever Phase (Phase 2). There will be a total of 10 sessions that are 90 minutes long. Each class will include instruction, sharing and homework. Classes will be conducted on an average of every other week.
- One-on-One Coaching Sessions (the Son): Once each young man has begun to acclimate himself to Salem, he will begin one-on-one coaching sessions. A total of 12 sessions will be provided (or more, depending on the student). These sessions will be conducted on the same day as Class Sessions.
- Parents Class: A class that is specifically designed for parents will be offered on a monthly basis, mostly on Saturday mornings. The goal will be to develop a schedule so that parents attend each of 4 classes. Classes will include the following:
- A Biblical Parenting Overview
- A Plan for dealing with what has already happened
- Awareness and Discipline in the real world
- Next steps – Where to go from here
- One-on-One (the Parents and Son): There will be 4-6 sessions where the parents will meet with their son and the Counselor to discuss progress and next steps. Other sessions will be given on request.
- Life Plan: The Counselor will work with each student and the parent(s) involved in developing a “Life Plan” in preparation for their departure. This will be done at the end of the Leader Phase (Phase 3) and through the innovator Phase (Phase 4).
At the heart of the Substance Abuse and Addictive Habits Program is the Principles of Freedom, all of which are drawn from the biblical account of the people of Israel’s journey out of slavery in Egypt, through a wilderness, and into the Promised Land. The story is amazingly similar to that of an individual seeking freedom from an addictive habit and begins in the Old Testament book of Exodus, concluding in the book of Joshua. Here are the Principles of Freedom that each family (son) will go through:
- Facing the reality of addiction, with a real desire to change.
- Crying out to God because He alone can lead people out of addiction.
- Accepting the bondage-breaking power of forgiveness made available through Christ.
- Filling emptiness and desires with supplies from God instead of with the habits of addiction.
- Gaining strength by patiently waiting upon God when progress seems slow and giving up seems easy.
- Developing a truth-based relationship with God.
- Seeking to restore broken relationships and build positive ones.
- Choosing to follow God courageously from a life that was ‘me’ focused—to a life that is focused on where God is leading.
- Learning to use the story of each person’s life as a source of personal motivation and encouragement to others.
- Discovering strategies to overcome unexpected temptations.
- Identifying places and people who I can turn to for help when I am weak or if I fall.
- Determining to devote the rest of my life to the fulfillment of God’s ultimate purpose for my life.
When choosing to pursue Salem4youth as a placement for your son, be sure to mention your interest in the Substance Abuse and Addictive Habits Program. For more information contact Kent Robson our Administrator. To reach Kent by phone 814-796-4561 or by e-mail @ krobson@salem4youth.com.
