Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC)

Indiana I-SAS Project: Affordable treatment for ages 12-18 struggling with drug or alcohol abuse

Details

Published on April 08, 2014

What is I-SAS?
Indiana-Substance Abuse Solutions (I-SAS) is a federally funded, locally managed, program for adolescents who are in need of substance abuse treatment but may not be able to afford it. I-SAS uses a new therapy model that recognizes that alcohol and drug use is about reinforcers-rewarding feelings that make us more likely to repeat actions. This is true whether a person is hanging out with friends, playing a favorite game, eating a good meal, or smoking marijuana. People who use alcohol and drugs get something out of it-or they wouldn’t keep doing it.

I-SAS therapists listen to adolescents; they want to know what’s important to them and help them identify goals and learn how to achieve them. Adolescents learn various skills, such as problem-solving techniques, which help them have a better quality of life.

This research-tested intervention has been used in more than 100 organizations across the United States, Canada, and Brazil.

 

What are the fees for I-SAS?
There are no fees for this program for those who qualify. It is funded by a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is being implemented in Indiana in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) and Community Health Network’s Behavioral Care Services.

Please note that your insurance will be billed, if applicable.

How will I-SAS benefit adolescents and their families?
I-SAS helps young people ages 12-18 learn that there are ways to enjoy life without alcohol and drugs. Recovery is a process that takes time, and this intervention can help youth learn to make better decisions, and improve their relationships with caregivers, teachers, peers, court personnel, and others in their lives.

In addition, many caregivers tell us that they have better, more pleasant conversations with their adolescents, and their home life and their relationship with their adolescent improves.

More specifically, the goals of I-SAS are to help young people…

• Decrease their use of alcohol and drugs;
• Improve their communication with their families;
• Increase their participation in non-using social activities;
• Increase their positive relationships with peers; and

I-SAS also engages and supports the families of struggling adolescents and will provide information and offer skills to families that can be helpful in these types of situations.

How long is the I-SAS program?
The I-SAS program generally consists of three months of individual substance abuse treatment, usually with weekly sessions. Every individual will receive a personalized treatment plan, however.

What does I-SAS expect from the adolescent?
While treatment plans may vary by individual, in general, participants will be expected to:

• Attend weekly sessions with the therapist, and
• Practice the skills they learn between sessions

What does I-SAS expect from care providers?
As with any recovery program, the engagement of family members and/or support systems is vital. At least one of the adolescent’s care providers will be asked to:

• Attend at least two sessions privately with the therapist;
• Attend two or more sessions with the adolescent and the therapist;
• Get involved with the adolescent’s life in fun and positive activities;
• Monitor the adolescent’s activities (after-school activities, homework assignments, who they’re hanging out with, etc.)

Contact one of the agencies below for more information about the I-SAS Program.

Emberwood Center
Marla Greenway
1431 N. Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317.536.7100
http://emberwoodcenter.org/

Gallahue Mental Health Services School Based Services
Becky Mills
1500 N. Ritter Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46219
317.621.2149
http://www.ecommunity.com/