The AARC program is based on the fundamental that chemical dependency is a disease. Adolescent substance abuse is defined as a psycho-social, genetic, chronic, progressive and relapsing disease affecting every dimension of the adolescent and their family members’ lives.
Once a referral is made, the assessment process determines the extent of the adolescent’s chemical dependency. Youth who meet the admission criteria receive a full diagnostic assessment to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment fees are assessed based on a family’s ability to pay.
Professional Comments Regarding Need for Unique Services
Dr. Alan Stanhope goes on to comment in support of the need for AARC’s unique services, in a letter to Mr. Jim Dinning, written September 2, 1993: “ I am the medical officer who looks after the children who are in care at this establishment. During the course of my work, I have been involved with a number of alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres, and thus, I feel qualified to express some opinions on AARC. As you well know, there are very few treatment centres available in this province and, in fact, throughout Canada. Therefore, it is very fortunate that the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre was founded…I have been able to observe the program and to form some opinions as to the efficacy of this treatment…I can state without any hesitation that this is one of the finest treatment centres I have come across, and it is in fact unique in its particular format.â€
