Adolescent
Compassionate and supportive substance abuse recovery programs for adolescents ages 10-19.
Adolescent Services
At Libertas, treatment is available for adolescents ages 10-19 in an outpatient setting in Green Bay and Marinette. Here, treatment planning takes into account each child’s or young adult’s physical, social, educational, vocational, psychological and spiritual needs. An important aspect of Libertas' treatment philosophy is to keep patients active and productive in their daily lives - in their schools, communities and with their family and friends. An essential component of the treatment process is for patients to assume responsibility for their own recovery.
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Getting started
At Libertas, recovery for adolescents begins with a phone screen, followed by a professional assessment of the patient's medical, psychological and substance use history by a licensed substance use counselor. From that assessment, the appropriate level of care is determined for each individual.
With the ability to provide dual diagnosis, individuals are evaluated for both mental health and substance use disorder, allowing patients to receive the appropriate type and level of care under an integrated plan that effectively treats both conditions.
What we treat
Libertas is dedicated to providing compassionate care for teenagers who have substance use disorders including:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Opioid use disorder
- Methamphetamine use disorder
- Other drug addictions and substance use disorders
- Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder
What we offer
Libertas offers two approaches to treatment - group and individual - with multiple levels of care including counseling, education, medication, family involvement and more. For group treatment, adolescents are placed with other children, teenagers and young adults ages 10-19, ensuring an age-appropriate support environment.
Group treatment
The goal of group treatment is to provide adolescents peer support in positive and safe environment with a licensed counselor. Libertas uses medically and evidenced-based group treatment models that respect each person’s need for independence, focuses on their unique strengths, clearly defines expectations and encourages meaningful participation.
At Libertas, we recognize a patient’s support system may include parents, guardians or other family members. We welcome all with open arms.
Individual treatment
Libertas offers multiple treatment options for adolescents who are not comfortable in a group or who may benefit from a more private setting. With individual treatment, the type of service, number of sessions and length of treatment is based on each patient’s need.
Case managers can help adolescents:
- Schedule medical care, prenatal care and other health and wellness appointments
- Work on educational goals (General Education: Diploma (GED)/High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), apply for college)
- Find school support
- Ages 14 and older find a job, if appropriate
- Make a personal budget, if appropriate
- Connect with domestic violence support
- secure health insurance
- get clothes and household supplies
- connect with disability agencies for programs, applications and support
- apply for food assistance/finding food pantries
- connect with legal advocates
Taking medication to treat drug substance use is similar to taking medication to manage other medical conditions like diabetes. Medications serve two purposes during treatment. First, they can help safely manage the withdrawal symptoms people often experience after they stop using substances. After withdrawal, medication can also reduce cravings throughout recovery, allowing patients to focus on their rehabilitation.
At Libertas, a prescribing physician and licensed counselor work closely with each patient to develop and navigate their personalized care plan, ensuring medications are used safely and effectively while addressing the psychological and social aspects of recovery.
- forming empowering and supportive relationships.
- using self-disclosure in order to deepen connection and inspire hope.
- providing community and recovery-oriented resources.
- helping with self-determination and goal setting.
- creating an environment of respect for their peers.
- seeking to understand all aspects of their peers’ lives.
- supporting many pathways to recovery, wellness and meaningful living - understanding that each person is unique.
Libertas is also committed to connecting patients and their families with a higher level of care such as inpatient withdrawal management, residential treatment and sober living options as needed.
Signs of substance use in teenagers
The signs of a substance use disorder aren’t always obvious; they could be pinned on any number of excuses. That’s why it’s important to know the signs, and to take action when you recognize them.
- Deteriorating grades
- Persistent impolite attitude, irritability
- Disrespect and unwillingness to follow rules
- Unexplained depletion of liquor or medication supplies
- Theft from family or friends
- Evidence of huffing – quick depletion of aerosol products or household cleaners
- Apparent drunkenness or hangovers
- Change to negative peer group
- Legal problems/underage drinking
- Red, irritated eyes
- Changes in energy levels, appetites, sleep pattern or hygiene
- Liquor bottles, drug paraphernalia
- Disappearing for days at a time