Pathfinder Support Services helps build a commitment to change

By Russ Krebs ~ Fremont Tribune

Youth involved in the Pathfinder Support Services adolescent intensive out-patient program created a mural to recognize their efforts. - Russ Krebs/Fremont Tribune
Every week adolescents in the Pathfinder Support Services drug and alcohol intensive outpatient program scan the newspapers for stories of addicts who are changing their lives.

Ermyl Leazenby, drug and alcohol counselor for Pathfinder, said the youth rarely - if ever - see any and that makes them think people don't recognize the hard work they put forth to kick addiction.

To recognize their efforts, the students themselves created a mural on a wall where they have group therapy three times a week. Emotions and sayings like "Keep it simple" and "If you believe you can achieve" fill the wall.

"We asked (the young recovering addicts) what it would take to get them to take ownership of the program and they suggested the mural," Leazenby said. "You need to take ownership in your recovery to succeed."

Another wall in the group therapy room has individual cinder blocks with names and goals on them.

"When they're ready to make a real commitment to change their personal life, they get a block," Leazenby said. "It's a process and it's hard to get there, but the kids are so proud when they get their block."

A relapse can take the block away, but she said it's not meant as a punishment, but as an incentive to continue in their recovery and return to an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle.

The adolescent intensive outpatient program provides

11 hours per week of group and individual therapy to adolescents between 13 and 18 who have substance abuse problems. The goal is to develop a sober support system for the youth and help them remain chemically free.

"We individualize each kid's treatment to fit their needs," Leazenby said. "We make them verify they attend Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the community weekly. There's also random (weekly) drug testing."

Currently, there are four adolescents in the intensive outpatient program that meets three evenings a week for three hours. Adolescents have been admitted through the courts, probation, families, doctors and even the youth themselves.

The first 30 minutes of every night is a community meeting where the youth discuss things going on in their lives and how they dealt with them and how their peers might have dealt differently.

Next comes education on different drugs and their dangerous effects followed by activities like the mural.

"Instead of looking at the differences (between drugs or alcohol that are abused), we look at the similarities," said Doug Johnson, another drug and alcohol counselor with the program. "We look at the similarities of when you come down off meth or when you wake up from a big drunk."

Group or family therapy follows.

"We work on family issues because the family is always affected by chemical abuse," said Lori Cheshier, administrator of Pathfinder Support Services. "Family counseling is important because the family has to help with sobriety. Maybe mom and dad just need to learn to talk to their kids."

The intensive outpatient program can last anywhere from six to 20 weeks.

"We'll keep them until they're ready," Cheshier said.

Since its inception in January, two students have graduated from the program.

They aren't done with treatment though. Now they are part of the basic outpatient program that meets once a week to help them remain sober.

"No matter how many bumps in the road, we'll get through," Cheshier said. "We do whatever it takes to make sure people don't fall through the cracks."