The 12 Skills-Steps Youth Support Group. (Wellness Support Program)

The 12 Steps Youth Support Group Program is a recovery and wellness support group that helps students stay on track, prevent relapses, and enhance motivation to change. It is not therapy and does not replace treatment. The 12-step support group was created in collaboration between the ACPS Department of Student Services, Substance Use Prevention Services, volunteers from local Alexandria AA and NA 12-step programs, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), the Center for Children and Families, and the Opioid Work Group from Alexandria City.

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Objectives

While success is dependent on the willingness and initiative of individual students, the 12 Steps Youth Support group goals include:

Learn how the twelve-step program works and how it can help in participants' desire to change.
Get the support to change and maintain the change achieved.
Have a "safe place" for open discussion of issues and problems associated with student drug and alcohol use.
Benefit from a community of recovery-minded students who can work together and rely on each other for support in staying sober, outside of weekly meetings.
Achieve complete abstinence from alcohol and drugs as well as general improvements in personal well-being that result from sobriety.

Expectations:

1. Hold a weekly meeting, attended by eligible students and supported by a guest speaker and 1-2 meeting facilitators.
2. Active participation of students in discussing issues of drug and alcohol use and abuse.
3. We would encourage students to take an active role, over time, in administering their recovery group.

Support group format SY206-27:

Target: Relapse prevention and promoting wellness

Participation: Voluntary

Consent: Parent consent required

Place: ACHS

Time: TBD

Room: TBD

Dates:

Fall / Winter 2026: Sep 2, 16 Oct 8, 22, Nov 19, Dec 17
Winter / Spring 2027: Jan 21, Feb 4, 18, Mar 11, Apr 1, 15
Duration: 60 mins
Frequency: 2x month

Facilitators: 2 Facilitators
Students: Returning from residential treatment, attending intensive outpatient SA treatment, or being referred by the disciplinary panel.
Candidates: Youth interested in changing and want to work in relapse prevention. 12 Steps Youth Support group is not therapy and does not replace other services.

12-skills-Step Components

Each participant will benefit from (1) attending meetings, (2) having a sponsor, (3) having anonymity, (4) engaging in service, (5) applying principles of 12-step recovery, (6) and having a safe space for honesty regarding drug and alcohol use. The components and the 12-step methodology complement each other and seek to support the recovery and wellness process.

CASEL (Social-Emotional Learning) domains and the ACPS Relapse Prevention & Stabilization Planning

ACPS approaches relapse prevention through psychoeducation aligned with students' needs to develop competencies in 5 core competency areas, known as the CASEL competencies. These five CASEL (Social-Emotional Learning) domains are the blueprint for building early interventions at the school level to foster competencies that help students develop a relapse-prevention and stabilization plan and succeed in school (attendance and graduation). The framework shifts from just managing behavior to building the essential social and emotional skills needed for sustained recovery. The following sections outline how each CASEL area is integrated into the plan, specifically for students in Tier 3 (Intensive/Indicated) support

CASEL (Social-Emotional Learning) domains and Relapse Prevention & Stabilization Plan

A. Self-Awareness: Understanding Root Causes

This domain focuses on helping the student understand their emotions and thoughts and how these influence their choices

Session 1: Root Cause Exploration

Exploring how thoughts cause feelings and how emotional struggles, trauma, or internal pressures may led to drug use

Session 2: Insight & Motivation

Staff work with students to develop insight into their behaviors and build the intrinsic motivation required to sustain change

Session 3: Personal Triggers

Identifying specific internal factors, such as stress or cravings, that lead to the urge to use

B. Self-Management: Building Recovery Skills

This domain equips students with the practical strategies needed to manage their behaviors and thoughts effectively

Session 4: Relapse Prevention Strategies:

Developing a concrete plan that includes individualized sobriety strategies

Session 5: Stress Reduction

Coaching the student on healthy routines, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to manage triggers without substances

Session 6: Coping Mechanisms

Providing explicit instruction on self-regulation techniques like problem-solving and impulse control

C. Social Awareness: Navigating Systems and Support

This domain fosters an understanding of social norms and the broader impact of the student's choices

Session 7: Systemic Factors

Helping the student and family understand the community support systems and the systemic factors (community, peer groups) that influence recovery

Session 8: Impact Awareness:

Reviewing the "ripple effect" of substance use on their family, friends, and the community at large

Session 9: Media Literacy

Recognizing how media portrayals of substance use can normalize risky behaviors

D. Relations Skills: Rebuilding Healthy Connections

This domain focuses on repairing social damage and establishing a supportive peer network

Session 10: Repairing Relationships

Working to repair relationships with family and friends that were damaged due to substance use

Session 11: Avoiding Unhealthy Peers

Helping the student identify and purposefully avoid peer groups that encourage or normalize drug use

Session 12: Refusal Skills

Practicing effective communication and conflict resolution to resist negative peer influence and maintain healthy boundaries

5. Responsible Decision-Making: Planning for the Future

This area empowers students to make safe, ethical, and healthy choices in difficult situations

Session 13: High-Risk Situations

Providing individualized guidance on the decision-making process when the student is faced with high-risk scenarios or cravings

Session 14: Long-Term Strategy

Shifting focus from immediate behavior to developing long-term strategies for overall well-being and life-long recovery

Session 15: Analyzing Risks/Benefits:

Encouraging the student to critically analyze the risks and benefits of their choices regarding substance useEncouraging the student to critically analyze the risks and benefits of their choices regarding substance use

CASEL (Social-Emotional Learning) domains in the ACPS Relapse Prevention & Stabilization Planning

ACPS Referral Process

Professionals (Counselors, Social Workers, Probation Counselors, Administrators, etc) can refer cases using the referral form.
To be eligible students shall volunteer to participate.
Students will comply with the minimum of requested sessions.
The SA Counselor will report back to the referral source the participation (attendance).
The substance abuse counselors will receive the referrals via the google forms link.
Once the referred student is screened for needs and support, they will be added to the support group roster.
Each referral source is responsible and commits to follow up, support and motivate attendance.
Students must desire to achieve and maintain sobriety.

Click here for Referral Form

Parent/Guardian

Parents of students involved in the support group program will benefit from parent educational sessions on parenting skills. They will also benefit from case management and clinical consultation as needed.

Disclaimer

ACPS does not provide treatment for substance abuse disorders. These sessions are run by the local Alexandria AA and NA volunteers. This is a space for self-help, assisted by adults with experience in the recovery process, following the 12-step skills-building steps to prevent relapses, outside the school system. This program does not replace treatment or therapy; on the contrary, it complements such services. Parents may benefit from parenting sessions. For treatment services, families can get services by calling the local CSB program at 571-213-7963