Graduation is the goal…
Often Parents/Grandparents want to know when their Son will be ready to graduate from our treatment program. The students have the same question, and usually say things like; “I am ready to go home – I know what I need to do – I just have to go home so I can show you.”
We understand where they are coming from. For the first time in a long time they are starting to feel how much they miss their family. They report to us on the first day “I miss my family so much – I just want to go home”. We meet that with the question, “were you showing your family how much they meant to you a week ago – six months ago?” They either don’t reply or admit that their behaviors did not show they cared for their family. This is when they start to realize that they might need to do some work.
One analogy we use with the students is “when do you know a cake is done?” Generally you follow the recipe, put it in the over and at approximately the designated time you take the cake out of the oven. Sometimes you test the cake with a toothpick or some other tool to ‘test’ to see if the cake is baked all the way through. That is similar to how you can know when your young man is ready to come home. Treatment is the recipe. The levels and graduation are the anticipated time to ‘bake’. Home visits, family therapy, phone calls, etc. are the toothpick.
I challenge all parents to let their young man follow a proven recipe and graduate Triumph. This provides the best chance of allowing a sincere change process. The process will need to be practiced especially during their readjustment to settling in the “home” routine again. Triumph Youth Services doesn’t want to send any cakes home still mushy inside. We want to send cakes home baked completely and ready to be decorated.
One expert in the world of Substance Abuse treatment is Kevin T. McCauley, M.D.. He talks about the most dangerous time for anyone after treatment is that first hour – that first day – that first week. “The most important moment of inpatient treatment addiction is the first hour after discharge. Where the patient goes next often determines whether or not the gains made in inpatient treatment will be retained or lost.”
If a young man does not complete treatment to begin with – that first hour – that first day – that first week becomes a significantly higher risk. The minimum expectation for any youth should be to complete treatment. It is in the best interest of the young man to get all he can out of treatment – to “bake” thoroughly – to then come home and face the challenges that come with increased freedom. Remember, they had freedom before and how did they choose to use it. Triumph is a recipe and an oven – let your Son grow and learn from the process of completing the entire program. Allow them the opportunity to increase their chances to use choice in a manner that helps them keep freedom and create new positive opportunities.
The feeling of accomplishment and self worth that comes from graduating our program is priceless to these young men. After all, they are our future mentors, fathers and leaders…
