NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - June 3, 2009) - Newport Academy
(
www.newport-academy.com), offering a gender-specific, comprehensive,
residential treatment program for adolescent girls suffering from substance
abuse and co-occurring disorders, has opened in Orange County, California.
Led by addiction treatment icon Dr. David Smith, past President of the
American Society of Addiction Medicine and Past Medical Director,
California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Newport Academy
is located on a peaceful and beautiful equestrian estate. It features a
highly individualized, holistic approach in which psychological,
biological, spiritual, social, and educational needs are continually
assessed throughout the treatment process. Newport Academy's highly
qualified and experienced clinical staff includes medical professionals,
licensed therapists, certified counselors, and teen nutrition experts. It
offers cutting-edge treatment methodologies including equine-assisted
psychotherapy.
"Although addiction is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among
the teen population," states Dr. Smith, Newport Academy's Chair of
Addiction Medicine, "the vast majority of teens who meet the medical
criteria for addiction are not in treatment. I consider this a national
health crisis. Newport Academy's treatment programs have all the key
components necessary for effectively treating adolescents with alcohol and
drug addictions, eating disorders and a myriad of other mental problems."
Dr. Smith is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of
substance abuse and dependency, psychopharmacology, and new research
strategies in the area. He is Founder of the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical
Clinics, an Adjunct Professor at the University of California, San
Francisco, and has authored or co-authored over 20 books and hundreds of
journal articles on the subject of addiction. For a complete biography of
Dr. Smith, visit
http://www.newport-academy.com/about/meet-our-staff/david-smith/.
Newport Academy Executive Director and co-founder Scott Sowle says, "We
understand the importance of the 12-Step treatment model coupled with
intensive therapy specifically tailored for teens in an individual, family,
and multi-family group setting. Additionally, we believe that teens need to
remain inspired and engaged in the recovery process if treatment outcomes
are to be successful."
To that end, Newport has developed a program in which teens are involved in
a number of experiential therapies such as Art Therapy, Dance/Movement
Therapy, Yoga, Mediation and Equine Assisted Therapy.
"Substance dependency is a disease characterized by self-absorption," adds
Newport's co-founder Jamison Monroe, Jr., "and we believe our specialized
programs, such as Equine Assisted Therapy, help teenage girls break that
self-absorbed thinking by allowing them to focus on, and care for,
something other than themselves."
Many key elements characterize the design and implementation of an
effective adolescent substance abuse treatment program. The treatment
program at Newport Academy is designed to address those elements defined by
the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and
the National Institute on Drug Abuse as crucial and key in establishing
effective, individualized, and comprehensive care for the treatment of
adolescent substance abuse. These key elements include:
1. Comprehensive screening assessment that includes psychiatric,
psychological, medical, and social factors in the adolescent's life to
best match them with an appropriate level of care and treatment.
2. Comprehensive and integrated treatment approaches that address all
aspects of the adolescent's life.
3. Developmentally appropriate programming where activities and materials
reflect the developmental differences between adults and adolescents.
4. Licensed, qualified staff trained specifically in adolescent
development, co-occurring mental health issues, substance abuse and
addiction.
5. Consistent family involvement that is mandatory in all aspects of
treatment and recovery.
6. A gender-specific treatment environment where the program can address
the distinct needs of adolescent girls in a safe, nurturing,
gender-specific group and residential setting.
7. Experiential therapies such as on-site Equine Therapy to keep the
adolescents engaged, interested, and motivated in their treatment
process.
Newport Academy Mission Statement
Newport Academy is dedicated to providing comprehensive, gender-specific,
integrated treatment programs in a compassionate environment by which teens
and their families may recover from the destructive effects of addictive
disease and related behavioral health issues.
The Newport Academy website (
www.newport-academy.com) offers a vast amount
of useful information on alcoholism and drug addiction among teens. To
speak with a Newport Academy staff member, please call (877) 628-3367.
For signs and symptoms of teen drug abuse, visit
(
http://www.newport-academy.com/admissions/signs-and-symptoms-of-teen-drug-abuse).
Contact Information: Media Inquiries:
Maggie Begley
310.301.1785
