At the Area Substance Abuse Council, we utilize a "whole person" approach to substance abuse treatment. We take into consideration a person's life circumstances and personal needs. Together, with the client, we develop an individual treatment plan to address identified areas of concern.

Our primary form of treatment is group counseling. It provides clients with support and the knowledge that they are not alone. We also provide individual counseling sessions as needed. ASAC encourages the involvement of family and significant others in a client’s treatment and recovery process. We have family therapists on staff to assist family members in dealing with a loved one with a substance abuse problem. Participation in AA, NA, AlAnon, and other support groups is strongly encouraged.

The Area Substance Abuse Council provides the following treatment services:

Assessment/Evaluation

Assessment is the first step in the treatment process.  It consists of a 1- 1 ½ hour interview to assess the person’s use of substances to determine if treatment is warranted. We strive to ensure that each client is placed in the most appropriate, cost effective treatment level. OWI assessments are available.

When an assessment determines that a person does not require substance abuse treatment, they may be referred to ASAC’s education group. We conduct separate education groups for adults and youth. Each group is six hours in length and held over two evening sessions. For the adolescent sessions, it is required that at least one parent or guardian attends with the child.

Intervention

If you believe that you, or a loved one, has a substance abuse problem, call your local ASAC office.  One of our treatment counselors will be glad to help.  All information you provide is completely confidential.  There is no charge for this service.

Outpatient Treatment

The least intensive level of care is outpatient counseling. It is the treatment of choice for the majority of our clients. It allows the client to stay in their home and attend work or school.

Extended Outpatient

This level of treatment meets the needs of a majority of our clients. Treatment is self-paced. Usually a client participates in extended outpatient for a period of six to twelve weeks. Most outpatient groups meet once a week and are designed to meet a variety of needs based on age, gender, culture, drug of choice and other issues associated with a person’s substance use. Individual counseling sessions are provided as needed. As well as our general treatment services, the following special treatment services are available:

• Youth Outpatient for ages 13-18 provides assessment and individual and group treatment services by specially trained counselors who work specifically with adolescents.
• Family Counseling is provided on ASAC’s main campus. Family therapists provide counseling services to family members/significant others of persons in recovery. Families are encouraged to become involved in a loved one’s recovery process.
• Gender-Specific Treatment is provided through Heart of Iowa. This program provides gender-specific outpatient counseling for pregnant women and women with children.
• Correctional Based Treatment is provided through a contract with the Sixth Judicial District Department of Corrections.

Intensive Outpatient

This 18-week program is designed to meet the needs of those with a more serious substance abuse problem but who do not require 24-hour care. Clients participate in daytime or evening groups that meet 3 hours a day, three times a week. The program consists of two phases. In the first phase, the client participates in three, 3-hour groups per week for approximately 10 weeks and most often also sees their primary counselor for a weekly individual session. In phase two, the client moves to a weekly 1½- hour group with individual counseling sessions provided on an as needed basis.

Aftercare (Continuing Care)

This level of treatment provides support to clients who have achieved a recovery lifestyle. It consists of one continuing care group per week and individual sessions as needed.

Residential Treatment

Residential treatment is for those individuals who have reached a level of substance use that requires a structured and supervised environment to be substance free.

Adult Residential is treatment for men and women 18 years of age and older. The average length of stay is 30-45 days.

Heart of Iowa is a special treatment program for pregnant women and women with children. The program provides medical exams, independent living skills, mental health counseling, and children’s services. Length of treatment is usually 90 days but varies with each individual.

Youth Treatment Services is a substance abuse and conduct disorder treatment program for adolescents. Duration of treatment ranges from 30-90 days depending on need. CD+ is a joint program with Four Oaks.

Dual Diagnosis Recovery Center is a multi-level treatment program, with housing, for adults with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Halfway House

Halfway House is a transitional housing program with at least 5-10 hours of substance abuse treatment. The program is for persons who have successfully completed a residential treatment program and are either homeless or do not have a living situation conducive to recovery. Halfway house allows a person time to obtain housing and either obtain a job or become enrolled in school. The average length of stay is three to six months.

Adult Residential provides halfway house services to males and females 18 years of age and older at ASAC’s main campus. Heart of Iowa is for pregnant women and women with children. The Cedar Rapids program provides housing and treatment programming for ten families. Hightower Place is a transitional housing program in Clinton for pregnant women and women with children. It can accommodate up to twelve families. King House, in Clinton, provides halfway house services to eight to ten adult males.

Access to Recovery