Delays in youth treatment can be difference between success, failure

A Spectrum, by Israel Neslon

This is an all too typical event: A young adult addicted to alcohol and other drugs is referred to a treatment center for assessment. The assessment indicates that the youth has a rather severe case; so severe that trying to provide treatment on an outpatient basis is probably not going to be successful. The youth is reluctant to enter any treatment, especially to enter a residential treatment program. But the assessment counselor is able to work some magic and persuades the young person to consider entering the residential treatment program. Then the counselor begins looking for a bed. Numerous phone calls are made to a number of different programs, and the counselor gets the same answer for each call: The young person can be placed on a waiting list for the next available bed which might come up in a month or two. The young person leaves the assessment counselor's office with a diminished commitment to enter the residential treatment program. When the bed becomes available, the adolescent with the addiction is no longer to be found or refuses to enter the program.

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley is the fastest growing region in Alaska. Where there are lots of people, there is also an increasing demand for treatment for substance abuse problems. In the Mat-Su Valley there are no residential facilities for adolescents. There are 12 residential treatment beds for adolescents in Eagle River at the Volunteers of America program. The waiting list for this program typically exceeds four months. Adolescents who need this level of care are often referred to programs out of the State of Alaska. Family involvement is extremely important in the treatment process and if the child is out of state, the family is unable to participate.

There are some private hospital substance abuse treatment beds in Anchorage, and there has even been some discussion about opening a private hospital treatment facility in the Mat-Su Valley for adolescents. Private hospital treatment programs are extremely costly. Generally, private hospitals also have waiting lists for admission.

What do you think? Does there appear to be a need for a low cost adolescent residential treatment program for substance abuse in the Mat-Su Valley? If you think there is a need, your voice needs to be heard. Call your delegate to the Borough Assembly. Call the Alaska Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

The development of new programs is dependent upon demonstrated need. One way to demonstrate need is to voice your concerns to existing service providers. Mat-Su Recovery Center is happy to hear from residents of the Mat-Su Valley about the need for services in the Valley. If you believe there is a need for an adolescent residential substance abuse treatment program in the Valley, please contact your State Representatives and U.S. Congressmen. Call the local Legislative Information Office for contact information.

Israel Nelson is a Licensed Master Social Worker, a Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor, and a National Certified Counselor, working at Mat-Su Recovery Center.