Teen's Journey to Overcome Addiction Leads Him to NorthStar Center's Innovative Therapeutic Program

Teen's Journey to Overcome Addiction Leads Him to NorthStar Center's Innovative Therapeutic Program

NorthStar Center Featured on A&E TV's 'INTERVENTION(TM)'

BEND, Ore., July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- He was a former straight-A student coping with the usual struggles of teens. But when his mother was struck with a near-fatal illness, James turned to methamphetamines to help him cope. Little did he know the drug would later place him in his own life-or-death struggle to overcome addiction.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020709/ASPENLOGO)

James' multi-phased journey to overcome addiction began in April 2006, thanks to an intervention facilitated by A&E Television Network's documentary series "INTERVENTION(TM)." Through A&E "INTERVENTION(TM)," James' mother, Marybeth, was introduced to Passages to Recovery, a unique wilderness-based substance recovery program, and to NorthStar Center, an innovative aftercare program. Both young-adult recovery programs were selected for the recovery of her son and were featured on the July 30, 2006, episode of "INTERVENTION(TM)."

"Both Passages to Recovery and NorthStar Center were incredible programs that brought hope and joy back into our lives," said James' mother, Marybeth. "Passages to Recovery helped James kick his drug addiction through a supportive wilderness rehab program, and NorthStar Center has helped him transition back to a more normal life where he can learn the importance of structure, responsibility, academics and personal character building."

"NorthStar Center is an aftercare program designed specifically for young adults like James to continue their therapeutic process after the initial primary care treatment," said Executive Director Robbi O'Kelley, MSW, LCSW, CADC II. "Our program is structured for NorthStar students to build upon their sobriety in a supportive, therapeutic environment that includes a strong academic component, a focus on personal responsibility as an integral part of being a young adult, and an emphasis on recreation as an important aspect of living a sober and balanced life."

"This program has been a real challenge to me, because in a way it is more demanding than the wilderness program," said James. "This deals with everyday life -- classes, grades, responsibilities, and relationships. At home, it was these repetitive day-to-day activities that I wanted to escape from. But working with NorthStar's dedicated staff every day, I am learning how to deal with these challenges and own up to my responsibilities."

"Boredom is one of the chief struggles for young adults attempting to maintain a sober lifestyle," added O'Kelley. "NorthStar students have the opportunity to take advantage of a diverse range of extracurricular offerings -- including the many recreational opportunities afforded by our Bend, Oregon, location -- as ways to promote healthy student interactions and sober fun."

NorthStar Center is a program of Aspen Education Group, the nation's private-sector leader in providing therapeutic education to underachieving or struggling young people. NorthStar Center works with young adults 17-1/2 to 24 years old by fostering an understanding of addiction, recovery, and relapse prevention and teaching skills to maintain sobriety and emotional health. The program utilizes individual, group and family counseling, substance abuse counseling with 12-step support, emotional awareness workshops and academic education.

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" and in the United Kingdom on ITV's "Britain's Youngest Boozers" and "Tonight with Trevor McDonald." Aspen's programs also have been featured on CNN, National Public Radio, "Dateline NBC," NBC's "Today," and ABC's "Good Morning America," and in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, and USA Today.

Aspen's programs offer a combination of education and therapy or counseling for young people who have demonstrated behavioral, learning or substance use issues that interfere with their performance in school and their relations with peers, family and friends. Aspen's offerings range from short-term interventions to long-term programs, and include a variety of settings, including wilderness therapy, boarding schools, residential treatment, and weight-loss programs.

For more information on NorthStar Center, call 866-313-7580 or visit www.northstarcenter.com. For more information on Aspen Education Group, visit www.aspeneducation.com or call 888-972-7736. For more information on A&E INTERVENTION(TM), please visit www.aetv.com/intervention.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020709/ASPENLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Aspen Education Group

CONTACT: Amy Sandler of Aspen Education Group, +1-562-468-4479,
asandler@aspeneducation.com

Web site: http://www.aspeneducation.com/
http://www.northstarcenter.com/
http://www.aetv.com/intervention

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