Potomac Pathways Aftercare: Recovery & Relapse Prevention

Now in our third year of helping kids stay focused in their recovery as they make the transition home!

Potomac Pathways Aftercare was created with students in mind who are returning home to the DC area from residential therapeutic programs such as wilderness programs, therapeutic schools, or residential substance abuse treatment. Potomac Pathways Aftercare is an outpatient treatment program intended for young people who have completed a period of primary treatment for substance abuse or emotional issues. 

Potomac Pathways Aftercare was established so that students can continue to develop healthy ways of living while continuing to heal and recover from addictive patterns and emotional challenges. The typical program length is 90-days, but teens may continue to participate in program elements after the initial 90-days, for as long as they experience the program as supportive in their recovery.

This is what Potomac Pathways Aftercare consists of:

Initial Assessment and IAP (Individualized Aftercare Plan)

Weekly recovery / relapse prevention therapy group
Two Weekend Wellness Days each month
Individual counseling
Parent support group
Family counseling
Drug testing available on-site

12-step group attendance recommended

GETTING STARTED: Initial assessment with teenager and parents to determine the needs of the family and the teenager in treatment

GROUPS: Teenager attends weekly group
Recovery and relapse prevention group which includes elements of experiential therapy, psychodrama, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. The group is geared to addressing issues that teens face upon returning home, including:

• how to manage high-risk and stressful situations
• how to deal with old friends that are still stuck in unhealthy patterns
• increasing motivation for school and positive accomplishments
• communicating with parents and developing the skills to move through disagreements without relapsing into old behavior patterns
• understanding the relapse process and the signs and triggers of relapse
• The weekly recovery and relapse prevention group helps create a supportive community where students come in contact with others who are exuberant about life in recovery. Students learn to listen deeply and to encourage one another to continue taking steps towards positive change and self-empowerment

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP: Parents may attend a bi-monthly group which gives them the opportunity to share information with other parents about what's working in their family, and also to receive some support for the often difficult process of parenting adolescents who may be struggling with a variety of recovery issues. This group is facilitated by Pauliann Long, LCSW-C.

WEEKEND WELLNESS DAYS: Teenager attends two Weekend Wellness days per month including one outdoor adventure day, and one "wellness retreat afternoon."

12-STEP GROUP:  12-step youth group attendance is expected for most program participants during early recovery (first 90-days after residential treatment).

COUNSELING:

• Teen attends individual counseling (as scheduled) Individual Counseling to increase motivation, support positive identity formation, identify addictive patterns and develop new, healthy strategies for living
• Family counseling sessions can be scheduled as needed (at no additional cost) Family counseling creates a space for deep listening, understanding and emotional healing—helping families to communicate honestly and openly without retreating into old negative patterns or "survival roles"

DRUG TESTING: Now available on-site for a nominal fee. Also, specialized testing available for drugs of abuse that don't show up on most drug screens including LSD, Mushrooms, Ritalin, Robotussin.

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