The 12 Steps Youth Recovery and Wellness Support Group Program (12-SYSG)

The 12 Steps Youth Support Group Program is a recovery and wellness support group that seeks to help students to stay on track and 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 ACPS Department of Student Services, Substance Use Prevention Services, volunteers from local Alexandria AA and NA12-step programs, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), 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:

12-Step Components

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.