The Program

Length of the Program

In order for the young women to complete all stages of the program offered by The Cedars, it is recommended that they are in residence for at least three months.

Addiction is a progressive disease affecting every aspect of an individual's lifestyle. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment approach is paramount. Throughout their stay at The Cedars, young women participate in intensive therapeutic programming. During the latter part of their stay, the focus is on recovery support. Clients may remain in treatment as long as necessary. The longer they stay the greater the gains they will make.

The Environment

The Cedars offers a family-like environment that helps the young women and their families to feel at ease. The residents feel safe and supported allowing them to focus on recovery. Staff are available twenty-four hours ensuring that the young women get the assistance they need when they need it.

With guidance from counsellors, residents of The Cedars participate in daily household tasks, including budgeting, planning, shopping, cooking, light cleaning and gardening.

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Assessment

The Cedars staff develop an individualized treatment plan for each client that is based on a thorough assessment. The Cedars' assessment includes gathering a comprehensive psychosocial history in significant areas including interpersonal relationships, drug history, any previous legal involvement, educational history and identification of the young women's assets and supportive networks.

The assessment provides the foundation for the development of an individualized treatment plan. Clients set treatment plan goals and work toward accomplishing those goals. Treatment plans are reviewed weekly and are adjusted to meet the clients' changing needs.

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Therapeutic Aspects

The program is tailored to meet individual needs. Using a client-centered bio-psycho-social-spiritual therapeutic model, staff work with the client to create an individual treatment plan. Taking a comprehensive approach ensures that a range of tools will be offered to the young women to assist them to develop coping strategies and foster self-care practices. The program includes individual counselling, group counselling, family counselling, psycho-educational groups, school or job training, health and fitness activities, 12-Step programming, and community service. The young women are supported while they address the contributing issues related to addiction such as depression, eating disorders, violence, and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Behaviour Pattern

In order to change unhealthy behaviour patterns, issues are identified and explored during individual and group counselling. Information provided through the psycho-educational and life skills program helps the young women to understand the problems associated with addiction and encourages them to make safe and healthy personal lifestyle choices. The professional staff consciously models positive behaviour such as constructive problem solving techniques, healthy communication styles, the importance of respect and maintaining boundaries.

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Peer Support

Peer support is also vital in the change process as residents of The Cedars can relate and identify with the experiences of their peer group. Counselors ensure that discussions among the young women are respectful and boundaries are maintained so that the setting is safe and nurturing. The young women benefit from discussing their everyday experiences in a therapeutic environment. Feelings of anxiety, fear, and frustration are shared and defused. They also share the positive aspects of their day creating a sense of connection and belonging.

12- Step Programming

Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are both 12-Step Programs based on the philosophy that one addict can help another addict stop using drugs. Recovering addicts meet regularly to share their experience, strength and hope about recovery. Meetings are held in most communities at different times of the day and on different days of the week. The 12-Step Fellowships help the young women to connect with sober, supportive people. Accompanied by counsellors, they attend a number of 12-Step meetings each week.

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Health and Fitness

The lifestyle that usually accompanies the abuse of substances does not promote good health. Drugs damage the body both mentally and physically. During their stay at The Cedars, residents participate in a health and fitness program designed by a certified personal trainer. Activities may include weight training, swimming, sporting activities, walking and hiking. With the guidance of counsellors, the young women are also encouraged to maintain a healthy diet to assist the body in recovery.

Building Community Connections

Addiction can lead to disconnection from oneself and others and part of the recovery process is to recreate positive connections. The Cedars program offers young women a chance to participate in the community. Community service opportunities and 12-Step meetings offer the young women a chance to connect with others, be involved in the larger community and practice the new skills they are learning.

Community involvement introduces the young women to volunteer, recreational, social and career opportunities and gives them a better understanding of the communities where they live.

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Building Family Support and Understanding

Family relationships play a central role in the lives of young women. Family counselling leads to understanding, helps build and strengthen relationships between clients and their families and is an integral part of The Cedars program. Family members are invited to attend weekly group meetings with other families. This gives the family an opportunity to share their struggles and breakthroughs with the families of other young women, helps to reduce isolation and provides a learning opportunity for all involved.

The staff of Cedars welcomes family and supportive friends to schedule visits to The Cedars and they host special visits and dinners.

After-Care

Since recovery extends far beyond the time spent at The Cedars, a comprehensive after-care program is an integral part of the Cedars care plan. For many young women, the most difficult time begins after they leave the protective environment of The Cedars. A well-developed after-care plan eases the transition from the treatment residence to home. To ensure that the after-care plan is practical and appropriate, The Cedars begins work on the plan after the young women have been in residence one month. By beginning after-care plans early, clients have the opportunity to practice being in a wide variety of situations before actually returning home.

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Peer Mentoring

The Cedars uses a peer-mentoring model that provides clients with the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and concerns with other young women who have had or are going through similar experiences. Former clients who are maintaining a lifestyle free from drugs are welcome to participate in the groups and social activities at The Cedars. Volunteer opportunities are also available to former clients. Former clients benefit from participating as peer mentors as they benefit from the opportunity to give back and assist those young women who are still struggling with their addiction.

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