Aspen Achievement Academy Participates in Outdoor Behavioral Health Study
Cerritos, CA (PRWeb) February 22, 2007 -- Aspen Achievement Academy, a licensed outdoor treatment program for adolescents, recently participated in an independent research study that found that teens struggling with substance abuse report reduced frequency of use and a greater inclination to work on the emotional or social issues that trigger their behavior following treatment in an outdoor program.
The study was conducted by the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative (OBHRC) at the University of Minnesota and was designed to determine to what degree outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH) program students change over the course of treatment and to what degree they maintain these changes after leaving the program. It is the nation's first large-scale study to specifically address the effectiveness of OBH programs in treating teen substance use issues.
Aspen Achievement Academy was one of five programs to participate in the research, and has been an active member in OBHRC's outcome studies research for several years.
"Aspen Achievement Academy is committed to providing struggling teens and their families the most effective, proven treatments available," said Gil Hallows, an executive committee member of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council (OBHIC) and executive director of Aspen Achievement Academy. "This recent study provides some significant insights into the achievements of outdoor behavioral health programs and reinforces our belief in their ability to help teens understand their substance abuse problems so that they have a chance at recovery."
Findings showed that the majority of participating teens with serious or significant substance use issues who previously were rated as "passive" about or "reluctant" to address problem behaviors became "actively interested" in working on or overcoming the issues triggering their substance use after attending an outdoor behavioral healthcare program. Other findings included significant reductions in symptoms of pre-existing depression, anxiety and stress after attending a program.
"The study demonstrates that state-licensed and nationally accredited private outdoor behavioral health programs can positively inspire or motivate adolescents to actively think about why they use or abuse drugs or alcohol," said lead researcher Keith C. Russell, Ph.D., who directs the OBHRC. "While we acknowledge that there is no overnight cure for substance abuse, these programs can provide an important first step for adolescents to address and overcome the often serious emotional and behavioral issues underlying their actions."
The study was composed of 872 adolescents ages 13-17 diagnosed with: a substance use issue (75.2 percent); both a substance use and mental health issue (50 percent); or only a mental health issue (20 percent). Prior to participation in the program, 44 percent of teens demonstrated no willingness to address the issues that triggered their substance abuse, 30 percent were reluctant to take action, and 28 percent were actively trying to address problems important to their well-being. Average treatment length for participants was approximately 45 days. At discharge from the program, 90 percent of the students had shifted to actively addressing problems that triggered their substance use.
At a six-month follow-up interval, participants reported significant reductions in the frequency of substance use, especially among those who were admitted to residential aftercare programs. Students who originally reported the most severe symptoms showed the greatest improvement. In terms of treatment satisfaction, 67 percent of the teens participating in the study said they would recommend an outdoor behavioral healthcare program to a friend in trouble and 58 percent stated their problems were much improved.
Located in Loa, Utah, Aspen Achievement Academy is one of the few wilderness programs nationwide to be selected a top teen drug treatment program by Drug Strategies, a Washington, DC-based research institute. The Academy serves adolescents 13-17 and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Aspen Achievement Academy's innovative, nurturing and effective approach has been written about in the award-winning book "Shouting at the Sky" and featured in documentaries in the United Kingdom.
Aspen Achievement Academy is a part of Aspen Education Group, the nation's leading provider of education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. With over 30 programs in 12 states and the United Kingdom, Aspen provides to students and families a comprehensive range of therapeutic interventions, including wilderness therapy, boarding schools, residential treatment, and weight-loss programs.
Aspen's success in helping young people overcome substance abuse has been documented and featured in international media, including the United States' nationally syndicated "Dr. Phil," A&E Television Network's documentary series "INTERVENTION™" and in the United Kingdom on ITV's "Britain's Youngest Boozers." Aspen is a division of CRC Health Group, the nation's largest chemical dependency and related behavioral health organization. For more information about Aspen Education Group, please visit www.aspeneducation.com or call 888-972-7736. For more information about Aspen Academy visit www.aspenacademy.com or call 800-283-8334. For more information about the OBHRC study, visit http://www.obhrc.org.
###
Make Money Today
Start Earning a Full Time Income Working at Home From Your Computer!
Visitors to Your Website
Start Getting Your Web Traffic Like The Big Dogs Do!
Lose Fat Fast
Lose 9 Pounds Every 11 Days with the Idiot Proof Diet. Guaranteed!
The Net's #1 Virus Killer
Try NoAdware FREE. Remove Harmful Adware, Spyware, Trojans, Dialers and Worms. Download Today!
Parental Solutions
Is Your "Out of Control" Teen Driving You Crazy? We Can Help!
Your Computer is Infected
I Guarantee it! Let us Prove it to You Absolutely FREE.
Related Articles:
An Africa Hunting Safari Can Have Many Hidden Costs
Some people go on safaris in order to enjoy the sights of nature, others to enjoy the outdoors in exotic locations. Still, others like to combine the two with their love of hunting. Traditionally, hunting safaris in Africa was the main draw and the source for the traditional look you?d expect from these, with khaki clothes, pith helmets, and all. For those who are looking for a new experience while hunting, a safari in Africa may be just what you need, though there are many things to consider.
Merrick Towle Communications Creates 'Extreme' Website for Clark Turner Signature Homes
Clark Turner Signature Homes recently selected Merrick Towle Communications (MTC) to develop a dynamic website, www.CTExtremeDream.com , and oversee the marketing program to support the builder's involvement in this weekend's episode of the ABC-TV program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The episode "Luther Family" is scheduled to air this Sunday, January 20, 2007.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Camping Food
Camping is a passion shared by many of us mostly through the summer but others will even venture in the cold winter season. Camping is always an adventure as no matter how well you prepare yourself there is bound for something to happen out of the blue and make your trip extraordinary.
What Should You Know about Hiking Boots?
What is essential equipment for you when going on a hiking? Beside, your backpack, you also have to consider about your footwear. You will be suffering when you are not using your footwear properly.
Child Clothes Stand
Jackets on the floor, missing hats and mittens, and the raincoat that always disappears when it?s pouring outside and he?s about to miss the school bus?
Luxury Dog Clothes
Dog Clothes
Motivational Author Launches Inspirational Clothing/Entrepreneur Website
"The Advantage" author Gregory Germany launches huhstuff.com clothing website, highlighting and supporting individuals in their quest for outstanding goal achievement and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Robert Walsh Kids Clothing Announces April 2008 Updates
We would like to announce the April Winner of our Spring Ahead "Diapers for A Month" Giveaway, and the new changes and additions that were made on the website during April 2008, especially the addition of the "Educational Kids Toys" Page
In our ongoing Spring Ahead ?Diapers for a Month? Giveaway, the April Winner was Kathy K
Renaissance Room's Unique Clothing for Women Announces VPS (Very Personal Service)
Whether shopping online at www.renroom.com or at the unique Peterborough, NH boutique, VPS (Very Personal Service) awaits the customers of this designer-centric clothing store for women. Beginning January 2007, customers who call or visit the Renaissance Room will enjoy the VPS treatment - a one-on-one consultation with RenRoom owner Jacquie Perry regarding styles, colors, and accessories.
Northern Portuguese Villas Make Algarve Properties Look Like a Houses of Cards
Minho Villas offers an investment alternative in the north of Portugal to the possibly burnt out and overpriced Algarve. Various key and coincidental factors including the Maddie McCann episode and Portuguese property market as a whole potentially equate to negative balance sheet potential for new buyers on the south coast. While other areas of Portugal, especially the northern border with booming Galicia (Spain), could see a 360% return in just 10 years according to British Channel 4.
As Your Baby Grows They Will Need New Clothes
The popularity for baby clothes has created and entirely new market for children clothing, clothes are now not the traditional blue for boys and pink for girls, they are much more advanced and the trend has spread to baby accessories like hats, caps, bibs and a lot of these clothes have funny messages. Babies are growing; you are unlikely to get as much use out of this clothing as you would an adult.
Hunting for Lasik In Denver, Colorado Through Tiger Woods? Eyes
If you are nervous about going for Lasik in Denver, Colorado, then maybe you?re not aware that Tiger Woods himself underwent a Lasik in Denver, Colorado. (For those who don?t know Tiger Woods, he happens to be one of the all-time greatest golfers America has ever produced ? a literal prodigy in the realm of golf.)
Plus Size Clothing Style
American woman today are under considerable pressure to be extremely slender. You will not see any mainstream model who is larger than size zero. Teenage girls are especially vulnerable to this pressure to have a lean, svelte body, since at this age they care more than at any other time what their friends think of them.
Outdoor Lights
Outdoor lighting fixtures work to unify the natural and the man made Homes, patios, landscape features, trees, planters, indigenous vegetations, pathways, and gardens can all be made to look like they not only fit together, but belong together
Outdoor Lighting Hints To Transform Your Backyard.
Outside lighting is one of the least expensive, but more spectacular modifications that you can make about your house and commonly a walkover and safe to instal, demanding only a few tools and some rudimental D I Y knowledge. A diverse range of fixture options are available for illuminating landscapes, drives and exteriors.