ADOLESCENT CHALLENGE GROUPS AND OUTPAIENT TREATMENT

  A few years ago, I worked as a Chemical Dependency Professional providing treatment in schools. I worked with middle and high school students and even some elementary students. The program allowed the students to volunteer for counseling and/or treatment without cost to them. It also was a confidential environment, so the students did not have to fear disciplinary action for attending. It was set up as treatment and information services, so no one but the student and I knew why they were there. My experience there was both rewarding and sorrowful. Children were literally dying from alcohol and drug use, and for other related reasons. 75 % of the kids screened in the schools were highly involved in the occult and in abusive and mutilating practices. This was not just kids rebelling. It was the real thing. Many were involved in human sacrifice (babies) and ritual child rape. Authorities and parents were so involved with the practices and drug trafficking that there was no way to seek help without endangering the youth that came to me. Since that time, I have been contacted by many former clients through friends, coworkers, & internet sources. The stories of lives that were changed from the groups and counseling have blessed me. The stories of those who died because help was denied have encouraged me to provide services to at risk youth here in this area. My heart is to reach the youth that never make it through the doors of agencies or churches. My goal is to “Take it to the Streets!” (The Great Comminsion!) I do know that being out their on my own without funding creates a problem. In order to do this, I definitely need to have the support of those who would be willing to sacrifice a little for the great rewards of knowing that they have changed, maybe saved, a young person’s life; and, not just theirs, but the many lives of those who they will eventually touch. Please, consider helping me raise funds by sponsoring an adolescent and help me change our world, one youth at a time. Don’t let them fall through the cracks because they never cross your doors. Funding opportunities are available on my website: http://dotevaluationsasap.com through PayPal, or you can email me at cenealkneel@dotevaluationsasap.com, by phone at (805) 904-6007, or by check or money order to PO BOX 1082, Pismo Beach , Ca 93448.     

Cherri Neal-Kneel

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Treatment for adolescents to deter them from substance use is falling while the availability of drugs is climbing.

The onset of substance use is occurring at younger ages,. This results in greater developmental deficits and much greater neurological deficits than have been observed in the past. Other consequences of substance use and abuse include traffic accidents, delinquency, sexually risky behavior, and psychiatric disorders.

Adolescent drug and alcohol use often stems from different causes than adults, and they have even more trouble projecting the consequences of their use into the future. Adolescents must be approached differently than adults because of their unique developmental issues and differences in their values and beliefs, and their environmental considerations (e.g., strong peer influences). At a physical level, adolescents tend to have smaller bodies and lower tolerance, putting them at a greater risk for alcohol−related problems even at lower levels of consumption. The use of substances can compromise an adolescent's mental and emotional development from youth to adulthood because substance use interferes with how people approach and experience life. Treatment for adolescents must take into account age, gender, ethnicity, disability status, stage of readiness to change, and cultural background. Delays in normal cognitive and social−emotional development are often associated with substance use during adolescence. Treatment for adolescents should identify such delays and their connections to academic performance, self−esteem, and social interactions.

Every effort to involve the adolescent client's family should be used because of its possible role in the origins of the problem and its ability to change the youth's environment.