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Professional Resources

"Who Can Help Me?"

Adolescent Treatment Programs

The Bridge Program

A comprehensive, individualized, family-centered service for adolescents, ages 12-17, who are preparing to leave an alcohol and other drug inpatient facility or a juvenile justice or other residential setting. The Bridge offers family-based counseling, intensive case management and continuing care, as well as general attention to primary healthcare needs and other potential barriers to treatment. The ultimate goal of The Bridge program is to bring adolescents and their families together and assist them in becoming a healthy family unit free of alcohol and other drug problems.

The program offers clients and their families an opportunity to improve their lives by focusing on five key areas:

Phase 1: Intensive Assessment
The goal of the Intensive Assessment phase is to get to know the client better and to develop a plan for how he or she is going to achieve goals during the program. This phase usually lasts about six weeks and begins even before the client leaves the previous placement. Most of the work in this phase is done by the counselor and the client's family.

Phase 2: Intensive Case Management
During the Intensive Case Management Phase, the client and the counselor will begin to work on the client's goals. To move from Intensive Case Management to Continuing Care, the client must make progress in at least four of these areas: treatment, school, job, family and delinquency. The counselor will keep the client informed of his or her progress in these areas. This phase usually lasts about four months.

Phase 3: Continuing Care
The Continuing Care phase helps the client maintain all the progress that he or she has made. After the client can demonstrate success in four of the five areas, he is ready for graduation from The Bridge.

Adolescent Drug Court

The goal of the adolescent drug court is to reduce crime and recidivism, while promoting recovery and positive lifestyle changes through court supervision and intense substance abuse counseling. The program provides an alternative to incarceration, which assists in promoting public safety and a reduction in the number of individuals incarcerated. Clients are sentenced by the court system to participate in the drug court program.

In Richland County call (803) 733-1380

Adolescent Outpatient Program

Adolescents ages 12-17 with a wide range of personal or behavioral problems may receive help through the Outpatient Program. Adolescents are taught skills to change behaviors that result in negative consequences. If they are involved with alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, they learn the risks of usage and positive alternatives to cope with peer pressures and the challenges of growing up. Family members are encouraged to participate in the program with the adolescent.

Admission Criteria:

Any substance related diagnosis, including behavioral and/or psychological diagnosis, or substance dependence diagnosis. Programs last a minimum of 4 weeks, and the level of care ranges from low to medium.

Estimated Cost: At one group counseling session per week with 8-12 clients in attendance, $60 per session or $720 for a 12 week session.

Richland County (803) 256-3100 ext. 308
Lexington County (803) 733-1376 ext. 29

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive, structured program for teens unable to stop use of alcohol or other drugs on their own. The program seeks to diminish chemical use, promote healthy choices, involve the family, and assist the young person in finding an avenue for recovery.

Admission Criteria

Any substance abuse or dependence diagnosis (see details below). Programs last a minimum of 8 weeks, and this level of care is the highest available to adolescents at LRADAC. Following are the DSM-IV Diagnostic criteria (required to bill or staff to a level of care):

Substance dependence -- must have 3 or more of the following:

  1. Tolerance
  2. Withdrawal
  3. Using longer or more than intended
  4. Unsuccessful efforts to control/cut down
  5. Excessive time involvement
  6. Social, job, or recreational activities given up/reduced
  7. Continued use despite medical/mental problems

Substance abuse -- must have a pattern with one or more of the following:

  1. Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home
  2. Recurrent use in physically hazardous situations
  3. Recurrent substance-related legal problems
  4. Continued use despite recurrent social or interpersonal problems

* Note: cannot have a prior dependence diagnosis

Estimated Cost: At 3 sessions per week with 6-8 clients in attendance, $90 per session or $2,700 for a 10-week session.

Richland County (803) 256-3100 ext. 308
Lexington County (803) 733-1376 ext. 29

Family Programs

LRADAC, The Behavioral Health Center of the Midlands sees more than 500 teens each year. Statistics have shown that an adolescent's treatment success is directly related to the involvement of the family. Family members of adolescents face unique challenges. Some of these experiences are universal while others are specific to that family.

If alcohol and/or other drugs have become part of your adolescent's experience, you face additional roadblocks to a healthy family unit. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Alcohol and/or other drug use affect one in five families.

LRADAC's Family Development Program is designed to involve, empower and motivate family members to help their teens navigate this challenging time. Our program offers education and support to families as they strive to keep the lines of communication open with their child. The program assists families in setting boundaries and restoring their adolescent and family to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The program is intended to accommodate all family members and includes:

Family Awareness/Support Classes: These classes meet weekly. Families receive education from trained professionals and have the benefit of receiving support from other families facing similar situations.

Family Unit Sessions: Families may need additional support from a private counseling session with a family counselor. These sessions allow family members to work together as a unit to explore specific issues facing the health of the family.

Family Member Sessions: The adolescent, as well as individual family members, may need to meet one on one with a family counselor to discuss difficult situations and issues. It is important to explore the role each family member plays in the treatment experience.

Parents and family members are encouraged to call (803) 256-3100 ext. 412 to schedule an appointment. Our family therapist will assess your family situation and provide recommendations for services. Let us help you restore your family to healthy living.