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Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)

ASAP Description Download

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 Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) of Colorado, offers a central location, and is approved 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
  • Multi-Family Group
  • Peer Group
  • Family Therapy
  • Individual Therapy
  • Urine Drug Screens

Collaboration with Other Professionals:

  • Hospitals
  • 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 boundaries.

ASAP Clinical Staff

Frequently Asked Questions

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 assessments, individual therapy, family therapy, group therapies, and urinalysis screens.

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.

Does ASAP work with my other providers through the courts, human services, schools, probation, doctors, etc?

ASAP therapists work well and on a regular basis with funding sources, probation officers, caseworkers, doctors, psychiatrists, school personnel, attorneys, and other mental health professionals.

Are evening sessions available at ASAP?

Yes. Day, evening, and night sessions are available.

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.

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.

Does ASAP accept my health insurance?

ASAP contracts with most major insurance companies including: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, CHP+, Colorado Access, Colorado HealthOP, GEHA, Great West, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Magellan, Mines, PacifiCare, Rocky Mountain Health Plan, United Health Care, UMR, and Value Options. We can also create individual agreements with other and smaller companies so if you have questions, please contact us to ask.

We work with alternative funding resources if you are interested in getting treatment, but unsure if you can afford it. Please call us to discuss payment

Does ASAP accept court-ordered cases?

Yes.

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.

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.

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 303-456-0600 extension 138 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.

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 (insert link to YDAP page), but do not necessarily require participation from the group members.

What are the groups?

The ASAP program has two distinct groups each week. The first 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 second 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.

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.

How long does the assessment take?

The process of filling-out paperwork, filling-out the questionnaires, and participating in the interview will take approximately 2 hours.

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.

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.

Register for YDAP Classes

State law prohibits Denver Family Therapy Center from collecting data from our website from individuals under age of 14. Please contact the YDAP Program Coordinator directly at 303-456-0600 ext. 138 to register for classes.


By checking this box I understand that I must be at least 14 years of age or older and that a parent or guardian will be need to be in attendance for the entire program. The purpose for involving parents in YDAP program is to ensure any issue related to the adolescent substance use or possession is adequately addressed in a collaborative process to identifying opportunities to change the course of substance use or possession.