"As an interventionist and sober life coach working with adolescents, Newport Academy has everything I look for when referring a young person to treatment."
-Gabrielle Reinhard, Interventionist & Sober Coach

FAQ

Parents

What are the signs I should look for in my teen if I suspect he/she is having a substance abuse problem?

Many times it is very difficult to tell if the behaviors that you are seeing in your adolescent are just a stage they are going through or if there is a deeper problem involving substance abuse. Click this link to see a checklist of the signs to look for that can indicate your teen may be abusing alcohol or drugs.

How do I determine what type of treatment is best for my teenager?

The most important thing you can do is to educate yourself about all the options available for adolescent substance abuse treatment. The decision as to whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is the best option for your teen can be discussed with a Newport Academy professional. We are here to help you determine what is best for you and your teen based on his or her specific situation. Research suggests that programs that are integrated and comprehensive in dealing with body, mind and spirit yield the best success rates. In addition, programs that incorporate a strong family component, a strong academic program and experiential therapies like equine therapy generally increase retention in treatment and lead to the best long-term results. The key is to gain all the knowledge you can about the treatment options available to you, your family and your teen. Newport Academy professionals can help you educate yourself as to appropriate services available and which services will best serve your adolescent and family.

How can our family best support and help our adolescent when he/she enters a treatment facility?

Newport Academy is a comprehensive and integrated treatment program. Our program is family-based so that the family plays a central role in the treatment process. While each resident will have a treatment plan specifically designed to address their unique needs, we believe that family involvement is critical to long-term success and recovery. Family involvement in the treatment process occurs on a weekly basis both with individual sessions with our experienced treatment team or on the weekend in our comprehensive weekend Family Program. Over the course of treatment, we encourage interactive family group sessions, family therapy and consistent communication .To learn more about our Family Program please read the more detailed Family Program section on this website or call Newport Academy directly to speak with a treatment professional. Click here to go to our Family Program page.

Who will be providing treatment to my teenager?

Newport Academy has a multi-disciplinary team of professionals including nationally recognized addiction treatment specialists that include Board-certified Addiction Psychiatrists, Adolescent and Young Adult Internal Medicine Physicians, Psychologists, Licenses Marriage and Family Therapists, Registered Nurses, Registered Dieticians, and Experiential Therapists. Our clinical Staff are leaders in their fields and were recruited to provide optimal treatment outcomes. You can rest assured that your teen is receiving the best possible care available while at Newport Academy.

How does Newport Academy differ from other addiction treatment programs?

Newport Academy is a gender-specific treatment program. Studies indicate that gender-specific treatment models more adequately address the distinct differences and unique treatment needs of adolescents. As a secure and structured environment without the distractions that adolescents experience in a co-ed environment, your teen can begin to feel safe to allow his or her true sense of self to emerge. With only six residents in treatment at one time, your teen will receive highly individualized treatment from multi-disciplinary, adolescent, addiction treatment specialists. In addition, each teenager will be exposed to a wide range of experiential therapies, including equine therapy, all offered on-site in a therapeutic, nurturing environment.

What role will family members or friends play in treatment?

Family members and significant others are an integral part of our treatment program. Whenever possible, all family members are encouraged to actively participate in the treatment process. For families who live at a distance that does not allow for in-person participation, we arrange these treatments through telephone conference calls. We also work with a number of highly respected family therapists in other cities and will often ask the family to become involved in therapy with these professionals if they cannot attend the Family Program at Newport Academy in person. All families are encouraged to participate in our weekly family program, which includes family therapy with your teen, multi-family progress group and family education.

How often will you talk to me about my teenager's progress?

Newport Academy understands the pain that a family feels when their adolescent enters treatment. We believe in total transparency throughout the treatment process. Our treatment team tailors a communication plan to meet the specific needs of each individual family. Based on your preference we utilize daily e-mail communications and/or daily or weekly phone calls from the primary treatment professional.

How long will the treatment process take?

Each resident's treatment program is specifically tailored to address their unique situation. The minimum length of stay is 45 days with the average length of stay between 60 to 90 days. Research indicates the dramatic impact in success rates with longer stays of treatment. We will encourage you to consider having your teenager stay for the full 90 days of treatment. Your teen's discharge plan will be discussed regularly during family therapy sessions and in our weekly treatment planning. The Newport Academy clinical staff will keep you informed of your teenager's progress and recommendations will be made so that he/she can successfully transition home.

Can my teen continue with his/her education and keep current with home schooling while in treatment at Newport Academy?

Yes. At Newport Academy, a structured academic environment is one of our Core Program Beliefs. Newport Academy believes that keeping each adolescent on track and current with their home school is critical to the treatment process. Our accredited teachers work with each adolescent's home school to craft a customized curriculum that will keep them current. Newport Academy is a State of California licensed group home. As such, each resident attends a minimum of three hours of classroom instruction each day over the course of their stay at Newport Academy.

Is the Newport Academy easy to get to?

Yes. We are located approximately 15 miles from downtown Newport Beach. Newport Academy is located on a secluded, private and safe property that is fully self-contained. The Newport Academy property is a very serene and nurturing environment that allows teens to peacefully focus on their recovery.

For Adolescents

What can I expect on my first day at Newport Academy?

When you first arrive at Newport Academy you will be introduced to our integrated treatment team, who will be providing services to you during the course of your stay. You and your family will meet with treatment professionals (at either the boys' campus or the girls' campus) to complete an initial clinical assessment and a family history with your primary therapist. You will also meet with a member of our staff who will check your vital signs and conduct an initial health assessment. You will be introduced to other staff members as well as the other residents at Newport Academy. We will assist you in moving into your room and become familiar with the facility through a tour of the property.

We will review the house rules and explain your daily routine. Depending upon the circumstances surrounding your arrival you may be integrated into the daily program or be allowed to rest and begin your treatment the following day.

What are the sleeping arrangements like?

The campuses at Newport Academy are entirely gender-specific and separate. At no time during your teen's treatment will he/she mix with the opposite gender. Each resident at Newport Academy will share a room with another resident as close to their age as possible. During your initial orientation you will be assigned to one room, however, we work on a level system and you will have the option of earning the right to move to a larger room throughout your treatment stay.

What will my typical day be like?

Click here to see a typical daily schedule.

What should I bring with me?

We suggest that you pack a variety of comfortable casual clothing for your stay at Newport Academy. Nights can be cool so that you will want to bring sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets. Laundry facilities are available so that you will not need more then a week’s worth of clothing. We suggest that you leave home all valuables as they will be taken away and locked up during your stay at Newport Academy. Resident phone privileges will be made available so that you will not need to your own cell phone Computers are available in the classroom so that we do not allow lap tops or other computer devices.

What is going to happen with my school work?

While you are at Newport Academy our credentialed teaching staff will work with your teachers at your home school in developing an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to meet your specific academic needs. Through the collaborative efforts of our team approach you can keep current with you home school curriculum and excel academically.

Professional Staff

Newport Academy’s Professional Staff are recognized leaders in their fields of practice.

Our senior clinical Staff members have over a century of cumulative years working in the field of addiction medicine. They are recognized leaders in their fields of practice and have proven track records of performance and partnership. Our Professional treatment team is led by Dr. David Smith, recognized nationally as an icon in the field of addiction treatment.

Click here to meet our staff.