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Substance
Abuse
Meeting the Needs of Adolescent
Girls
Germaine Lawrence provides specialized substance
abuse treatment tailored specifically to meet the
unique needs of adolescent girls.
Meeting Girl’s Individual
Needs
Research shows that girls tend to use alcohol or drugs to
improve mood, increase
confidence, reduce tension, cope with problems, lose inhibitions,
enhance sex or lose weight. Germaine Lawrence staff has the
expertise to understand each girl’s issues in the context
of their experiences.
We start by understanding what role substances have
played in a student’s life. In the initial
assessment, the Treatment Coordinator explores and
addresses all underlying issues connected to a girl’s
substance use. Then our staff work with the girls
throughout treatment to help them understand their
drug use, so they can learn healthier ways to manage.
Staff work with each girl to develop individualized
incentive plans and safety contracts. Staff increase
structure and supervision when a student first enters
the program and at time of highest risk throughout
treatment. | back to top |
Building Healthy Relationships
Our program helps girls build and maintain healthy
relationships, communicate assertively and effectively,
and develop healthy minds and bodies through
regular exercise, nutrition and relaxation. Our
staff are skilled at encouraging girls to learn
new skills, express a wide range of feelings,
and challenge themselves educationally. Our program
is designed to help our students resolve conflict
and increase their comfort level about their
bodies and sexual development. Girls learn about
the impact of media on female self-esteem and
healthy sexual development.
At Germaine Lawrence, the parent or guardian is
a critical partner in the treatment process. Through
this partnership, staff learn the strengths of the
child and family in order to build upon them in
the treatment plan. Our therapists work closely
with the student and her family to identify and
work on skills to increase communication, rebuild
trust, and follow limits within the home. | back to top |
A Program Just for Girls
Our treatment is specially designed to meet the
unique needs of adolescent girls. Our program is
designed to foster healthy relationships through
skill development, structured activities and adult
role modeling. Staff help girls address and resolve
issues with their peers and family members in a
direct and assertive manner. Staff provide opportunities
for girls to know the facts about female development
and explore gender-based stereotypes. With this
information, girls are able to develop increased
awareness and learn to manage their behaviors safely.
Girls take part in sports and activities that spark
new interests and develop new hobbies. Expressive
arts, relaxation and body movement help girls develop
a positive and confident body image. All staff ensure
that girls experience success and increase their
self-esteem as they prepare for healthy futures. | back to top |
Addressing All Concerns
The substance abuse treatment addresses not only
the substance use, but also targets the other connected
high-risk behaviors and underlying psychiatric issues.
Our staff work with parents or guardians to address
any existing heath issues, target symptoms of anxiety,
depression or mental illness and explore the impact
of past trauma, loss and significant life events.
Our staff use a structured strength-based behavior
management system to reinforce pro-social skills,
while at the same time providing positive alternatives
to maladaptive behaviors. We help girls develop
relapse prevention plans and maintain safe behaviors
within their communities. | back to top |
Ongoing Drug Screening
Drugs screens are done consistently following each
student’s return to the dorm after spending
time in the community, as well as on a random basis
through the month. Staff monitor drug screens closely
and positive screens result in clearly established
and predictable consequences. Consequences include
a decrease in community access and students are
required to acknowledge their behavior and identify
healthier future alternatives. Drug screens provide
increased monitoring around a student’s use
and often serve as an external motivator not to
use drugs, when a student has not yet developed
internal motivators | back to top |
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