Abundant Life Academy
Substance Abuse Program
Abundant Life Academy Substance Abuse Program is a Christian Leadership School. We serve kids from good familes who are now making bad decisions and these formerly good children are in need of instantaneous help. The ALA Substance Abuse Program is specifically designed for the struggling teen that has abused drugs and/or alcohol, and is heading toward addiction or chemical dependency. Additionally, ALA has a tremendous academic program to go along with our powerful Christ-centered leadership/discipleship program.
At Abundant Life Academy we have recognized that all kids are different, especially when it comes to the depth of their rebellion. The fact is that some kids have gone further down the road of rebelliousness than others, and will have different needs. Abundant Life Academy offers four different programs to meet the specific needs of our students.
Substance Abuse Education: We start with an in depth drug and alcohol assessment process. We need to know exactly how far the student has progressed down the road of substance abuse. After the assessment, we present a provocative and intense education regarding the dangers of substance abuse. Our educational program is a real world course, in depth, to help the teens realize why they abuse stances (drugs and alcohol). Additionally, we offer a no nonsense approach to the negative effect drugs and alcohol have on the adolescent brain, personality development, and emotional wellness. The substance abuse program includes the assessment and educational component, as well as group and individual substance abuse counseling.
Human Behavior: A Christ-centered view about “how and why” people act. This segment of the ALA Leadership Program is an in-depth learning about oneself; personality traits, temperaments, personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as “blindspots” (actions and behaviors that continue to undermine the child’s progress). Through the Human Behavior segment the ALA students learn the basics regarding effective interpersonal communication [learning to relate to others and communicate better] and conflict resolution. In addition, students come to understand the dangers and drawbacks of selfishness and self-centeredness. Moreover, the ALA students learn to care for others, lifting others above themselves, and loving others. During this phase the ALA student learns why he/she struggles to relate to others (especially parents) and why they continue to make poor decisions. Students also learn the power behind “submission to authority”.
The ALA student will complete at least one Trimester academic credit during Trimester I, as well as to be involved in serving others through “community service”. Trimester I students can participate in athletics, worship team, and other prosocial activities that promote well-being.
Emotional Intelligence: “EI” is the foundation of the ALA leadership program. Most of our student body is made up of very good and inteligent students. At ALA Students learn to think, act, and then feel. Way too many young people feel first (act out of their emotions), then act, and most often skip the thinking part altogether. Instead of thinking things through young people are addicted to blaming others, rationalizing actions, and they are experts at “playing the victim”. Emotionally immature kids never get around to understanding that they are causing their own bad situations, and that is why they stay “stuck”. Emotionally immature kids are depressed and angry. They try so hard to get their needs met in the most ineffective ways, getting less of what they want, and more of what they are trying to avoid. At ALA we teach students to think for themselves and to find solutions for their issues. We give them tools to overcome their problems, and then help them to success. However, the important thing is for the student to learn to make emotionally intelligent decisions for themselves.
During Trimester II we make sure that the ALA student’s earn opportunities to practice the leadership material they have learned. During Trimester II students are encouraged, coached, and guided to use the training they have received. In essence, the ALA students learn to be leaders by taking on tough situations, learning to deal with all kinds of problems, and most importantly, to learn to serve others. In Trimester II the ALA student participates in “national” mercy ministry projects. For example, the Trimester II students of ALA have worked tirelessly in helping clean up New Orleans and Mississippi after the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Also, we have sent student teams to help clean up after major tornado’s (Greensburg, Kansas and Americus, Georgia). The Trimester II student will participate in other mercy ministry projects such as “Habitat for Humanity” (building homes for the poor)
Choice Theory: The in-depth study of choice. Students at ALA come to understand the power behind choice (Christ-centered Choice Theory). ALA Students have become what they chosen. Meaning, an accumulation of their choices over a period of time contribute to the well being of their life. If we make good, powerful, and “right” choices over a period of time we can enjoy great prosperity and success (Liberty and Freedom). But, if we make poor choices over a period of time we can earn a great deal of loss and regret. As a matter of fact, prior to coming to ALA our students have compiled much loss and regret through their poor choices. ALA students learn how to create success in their lives by making the right choices. They also learn how to navigate out of bad places by turning from their poor choices. ALA Students learn about the pits they have fallen into and how to get out of them. They learn to take responsibility for their actions, and hold themselves accountable. Students learn to restrain from negative influences and surround themselves with positive influences. “We become who we hang around”. Through the ALA Choice Theory Program the ALA student gets a sense of confidence, power, and destiny. At ALA we teach the ultimate choice is to be led by the Holy Spirit.
During Trimester III students participate in International Mercy Ministries. For example, students attend Abundant Life Academy at Costa Rica for at least 4 weeks. ALA at Costa Rica is our satellite school located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Our mission is to serve the poor in that area. Our Trimester III students are involved with helping the poor, educating the un-educated, building homes, churches, and development of other social services projects. Our students learn that the people we serve in Costa Rica are poor materialistically, but they learn that the Costa Ricans are extremely rich spiritually. As we serve the Costa Rican poor, we are always out-served by them. You can’t out-give the people of Costa Rica. Additionally, even though they have very little in terms of things, Costa Ricans are extremely happy and fulfilled people. The ALA student learns why the Costa Rican’s are happy (because the culture of Costa Rica is about family, serving others, and being thankful for what they have).
The typical student candidate for the ALA Substance Abuse Program is a good child from a good Christian family (raised in the Church). Unfortunately, this student also has a substantial “authority” issue (mainly, this child is rebelling against parental authority) and is abusing drugs and/or alcohol, and are in need of immediate help. The authority issue stems form the fact that they have an adventurous spirit and demand unearned autonomy, but can’t make the best of decisions. In regard to their parents they fight, argue, and will not listen. Additionally, this child is emotionally immature, is making poor decisions, blames everyone else for their own mistakes, rationalizes, minimizes, and is deep into “fantasy-thinking”. Meaning, this child is making more and more bad decisions, is hanging out with the wrong crowd, sneaking out at night, abusing drugs and alcohol, and is probably sexually active and they don’t see the problem. However, this same child blames his/her parents for everything, and thinks that they are “retarded”, “gay”, and “stupid”. This child is acting as if he/she was 8 years old, but demands to be treated as if they were 30.
Total Cost for the 12 months ALA Substance Abuse Program: Tuition cost $54,000 (12 Month).
|
