“Newport Academy’s treatment program has all the key components necessary for effectively treating adolescents with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.”
-David Smith, MD, Past President American Society of Addiction Medicine

Residential Program Overview

Newport Academy is a gender-specific, comprehensive, residential treatment program for adolescents suffering from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The program combines the key elements essential in effectively treating adolescent girls and boys with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. As compared with adults, adolescents have higher rates of dual diagnosis and developmental differences.  Adolescent treatment needs can be challenging and often involve more comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approaches.  At Newport Academy, we deliver a highly individualized, holistic approach to treatment where psychological, biological, spiritual, social and educational needs are continually assessed and revised throughout the treatment process.

Many key elements characterize the design and implementation of our adolescent substance abuse treatment program. The program is designed to address those elements defined by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse as crucial and key in establishing effective, individualized, and comprehensive care for adolescent substance abuse treatment. These key elements include:

  1. Comprehensive screening assessments that includes psychiatric, psychological, medical, and social factors in the adolescent's life to best match them with an appropriate level of care and treatment.
  2. Comprehensive and integrated treatment approaches that address all aspects of the adolescent's life.
  3. Developmentally appropriate programming where activities and materials reflect the developmental differences between adults and adolescents.
  4. Licensed, qualified staff trained specifically in adolescent development, co-occurring mental health issues, substance abuse and addiction.
  5. Consistent family involvement that is mandatory in all aspects of treatment and recovery.
  6. A gender-specific treatment environment where the program can address the distinct needs of adolescent girls in a safe, nurturing, gender-specific group and residential setting.
  7. Experiential therapies such as on-site Equine Therapy to keep the adolescents engaged, interested, and motivated in their treatment process.

In addition, research suggests that lengthier treatment stays for adolescents correlate with better success rates.   Understanding the clinical nature of adolescent treatment in the area of substance abuse and addiction, Newport Academy adheres to a minimum length of stay of 45 days.  The outcome of comprehensive screening assessments accomplished prior to admission and the ongoing clinical assessment during the adolescent's stay provides the clinical determination of the adolescent clinical needs and progress.  It is in this clinical context that recommendations are made in relation to length of stay.

In summary, Newport Academy's individual, clinically comprehensive, compassionate programs are key in the development of a strong therapeutic alliance between the adolescent, physician, therapists, and other key staff members that help empower teens, restore families and help insure lifelong recovery.