Why Should You Choose NorthStar?
NorthStar is one of the first young adult programs in the country, founded in 1991, which paved the way for many other programs to serve the various needs of this population. Our experience has shown that young adults usually overestimate their ability to reintegrate into the community after an effective primary or wilderness intervention. At NorthStar, we put our emphasis at the forefront of our program into teaching skills to manage recovery and independent living. We gradually introduce the student to the freedom they desire and help them learn from the challenges this presents.
At NorthStar, students will:
- Start with a tighter structure as they begin to apply new tools and gradually earn their way to more personal freedom.
- Deepen their understanding of recovery from substance use, continue to solidify their commitment to recovery and learn specific tools to help them stay clean and sober.
- Learn a variety of coping tools using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills in addition to 12-step recovery to help them manage emotions.
- Use individual and group therapy to explore past emotional issues which contributed to substance use and personal decline.
- Begin to internalize a sense of personal structure that leads to consistent motivation and responsible action.
- Interact daily in a community of peers where personal integrity is developed and supported throughout the program.
- Explore interests and life goals and establish a path to accomplish those goals through academic preparation, advisement and coaching.
- Continue to improve their ability to engage parents on an adult-to-adult level.
- Learn how to have fun while sober and balance work and play!
At NorthStar, parents will:
- Deepen their understanding of the student's recovery process.
- Receive coaching from staff to understand how to support the young adult's separation and path into adulthood in a healthy manner.
- Have an opportunity to participate in a variety of on-line articles, interactive teleconferences and in-depth parent workshops to improve parenting skills with the emerging young adult.
- Learn how to allow the student to define his/her own direction and be part of the student's support system.
- Understand the importance of exploring their own personal issues as they relate to the young adult's struggle.
NorthStar offers a strong aftercare component to assist young adults to continue on the path of recovery. At NorthStar, young adults who have completed a primary treatment program can work on deepening their understanding of sobriety while learning and practicing the skills to live an independent, sober, healthy and successful life.
