School and Recovery: It Doesn’t Have to Be One or the Other

Teen attending school while in addiction recovery

One of the most common concerns parents face today is helping their teen seek rehabilitation for substance abuse – but missing out on core foundational components of academics. The teenage years are a critical time to complete high school education, and for some families, the option is there for their teen to miss part of school and be held back. Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights (ARCH) Academy ensures that teens not only receive the support and resources they need to turn their lives around, but it also connects teens with classes so they don’t miss high school graduation – with nothing holding them back by the time they’re out of rehabilitation.

We can’t always control what our teens are doing behind the scenes, but we can stand up for their future. Earlier this year, Time Magazine covered the story of Marques Martinez, a teen who struggled with OxyContin, Xanax and other drug addictions – but through the help of being in a recovery school, he was able to attend classes that any other “normal” teen would – math, language arts, physical education and more – alongside other recovering peers in 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), group meetings and individual therapy sessions.

A 2018 study published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse assessed the academic and substance use outcomes of adolescents attending “recovery high schools” and, after 6 months of assessments, the authors concluded the following:

  • Teens who attend recovery high school are more likely than those who don’t to remain abstinent from drugs after 6 months post-treatment
  • Teens who partake in these types of programs are also less likely to have absenteeism concerns in school
  • Lower marijuana use levels are found in teens who attend recovery schools

ARCH Academy is surrounded by wooded hills and free from distractions – and with lengths of stays ranging from 60 days to 6 months, teen boys aged 14-18 can learn about addiction, develop life skills, build their self-esteem and more while attending both school and rehabilitation. If your teen needs help, don’t wait any longer to seek out treatment. This period of their lives could have a lasting impact on their future – and having the right people nearby could make a world of difference.

Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights (ARCH) originally began in 1985 when there were few other adolescent programs like it in the country. In 2019, we’re expanding our continuum of services with ARCH Academy, a unique program located in Kingston Springs that offers 60 days to 6 months of residential care to adolescent boys ages 14-18 who are struggling with alcohol and/or drug addiction. This new program stems from Cumberland Heights, which has been around since 1966, and is located in Nashville, Tennessee. The adolescent age is a critical time for development, making this a crucial time of positive influence. For more information, call us today at 1-800-646-9998.