Adolescent Substance Abuse Program

ASAP provides treatment and support for adolescents and their families struggling with substance abuse and dependency.

ASAP is licensed through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) of Colorado, offers a central location, and is apporved by most insurance companies and juvenile probation departments.

ASAP is directed and operated by masters level therapists who are Certified Addictions Counselors.

ASAP Treatment Services:

• Drug and Alcohol Assessments
• Treatment Groups
• Multi-Family Group
• Relapse Prevention Group
• Psycho-Educational Groups
• Family Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Urine Drug Screens

Collaboration with Other Professionals:

• Judicial Systems
• Human Services
• Educational Systems
• Psychiatric Consultation

ASAP utilizes a family-focused approach to treatment. While adolescents are held accountable for sobriety, parents get help and support in building parenting skills by setting clear limits, expectations and personal boundries.

ASAP Clinical Staff

Please click on a name to be directed to Clinician Directory.

David Blair, LCSW, CAC III

Jamie Blair Echevarria, LCSW, CAC III

Janna McAllister, MSW

Frequently Asked Questions:

ASAP

FAQ’s

1- What is ASAP? Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) is a special program within Denver Family Therapy Center. ASAP is program that is classified as an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for substance abusing adolescents from the ages of 13-19 years of age. The ASAP program consists of individual therapy, family therapy, several group therapies, urinalysis screens, structured job searching, and assessments.
2- Does my child need substance abuse treatment? If a child’s substance use is creating problems within the family, school, community, the law, work, or their own mental health, please call and schedule an assessment.
3- What is included in the substance abuse assessment? The assessment requires the completion of two scored substance use questionnaires, an interview with the child and at least one parent/guardian, and collateral contact with probation, human services, medical facilities, and/or other mental health providers that the parents deem as needed.
4- How long does the assessment take? The process of filling-out paperwork, filling-out the questionnaire, and participating in the interview will take approximately 2 hours.
5- When does the ASAP program meet? Individual and family therapy meeting times are scheduled between the family/child and their therapist. Group therapy sessions meet on established times and days of the week, with each group starting at 6PM.
6- What are the groups? The ASAP program has three distinct groups each week. The first is a relapse prevention/goals group, which generally focuses on ways adolescents can participate in alternative behaviors to replace their drug/alcohol use. The second group is a multi-family group, where several families attend and discuss various issues that are occurring within families, provide support to one another, and provide suggestions/feedback on how to handle adolescent children. The third group is a peer support group where the adolescent support one another to attain and maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and otherwise support one another through their common and individual struggles.
7- What is the difference between drug/alcohol group therapy and drug/alcohol classes? The main difference between drug/alcohol group therapy and drug/alcohol classes has to do with the level of participation that is expected. With group therapy, group members are expected to participate in the discussion and contribute to finding solutions for themselves or their family. Drug/alcohol classes focus more on education and awareness, but do not necessarily require participation from the group members.
8- How do I enroll my child/family in ASAP? The first step to getting enrolled is to contact the main referral line at Denver Family Therapy Center at 303-456-0600x120 and provide the intake person with your name, your child’s name, a phone number to contact you, your insurance (if applicable), and indicate that you are interested in the ASAP program.
9- Do parents need to participate in their child’s treatment? Yes. The ASAP program is based on the assumption that the family’s strengths and resources are required if success with a substance-abusing adolescent is to be achieved.
10- Are there drug/alcohol tests available? Yes. ASAP contracts with a local toxicology lab to pick-up urine specimens twice weekly. Reports are usually faxed back to ASAP within two business days of when the specimens were picked-up.
11- Does ASAP accept court-ordered cases? Yes.
12- Does ASAP accept my health insurance? ASAP contracts with most major insurance companies including, Aetna, Cigna, ComPsych, Corp Health, Foothills Behavioral Health (Jefferson County Medicaid), Horizon, Humana/Choice Care, Kaiser, Mines, One Nation (Anthem/Pro) PacifiCare, Sloan’s Lake, United Health Care, and Value Options. We can also create individual agreements with other and smaller companies so if you have questions, please contact us to ask.
13- Does ASAP offer a sliding scale? Although ASAP does not have a sliding scale fee schedule, we are willing to work with families by setting up an appropriate payment plan that will fit within the family’s budget.
14- Is ASAP a 12-step program? Although influenced by many 12-step techniques, ASAP would not be considered a 12-step program, but rather a family therapy based program.
15- Are evening sessions available at ASAP? Yes. Day, evening, and night sessions are available.
16- Does ASAP work with my other providers through the courts, human services, schools, probation, doctors, etc? ASAP clinicians work well and on a regular basis with funding sources, probation officers, caseworkers, doctors, psychiatrists, school personnel, attorneys, and other mental health professionals.
17- How long is the ASAP program? ASAP is based on the child/family’s individual needs, so there is no established length of stay in the program.