In 2005, an evaluation for the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre was completed, and the results were presented, in part, at both the Annual Meetings of the American Society of Addiction Medicine in Dallas, Texas and the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine in Vancouver, BC.
Michael Patton, PhD, a recognized authority in program evaluation, was recruited to assist AARC staff with the evaluation, and Valerie Slaymaker, PhD, LP from the Butler Center for Research of the Hazelden Foundation assisted with analysis of the data. Other authors included Gerald V. Goresky, MD; F Dean Vause, PhD; Peter Choate, MSW; and Natalie Imbach, BA.
The evaluation was initiated to assess abstinence from substance abuse and sustainability of recovery of AARC graduates. Lifestyle changes, changes in criminal behavior and in emotional functioning along with participation in continued recovery programs following graduation were assessed. An interview process was used, which incorporated a questionnaire designed specifically for the evaluation.
100 sequential graduates who graduated from 1998 to 2003 were selected for interview in 2004, and 85 agreed to participate. In addition, 30 randomly selected parents, and 11 parents of the 15 clients not interviewed agreed to be interviewed. Using information from these interviews, data regarding the recovery status of 96 clients was obtained.
This evaluation of AARC demonstrated significant, sustainable changes in the graduate population. Of the sample of 100 graduates, 85 reported being sober and 48 of the 100 were continuously sober since graduation. For those graduated for over 4 years, 86% had maintained more than 12months of sobriety. Changes in all lifestyle measures of recovery were demonstrated – increased completion of and improved performance in high school and college, improved behaviors and participation at work, positive family relationships with lesser degree of family conflict, less involvement with criminal behavior, more positive peer relationships and increased recreational activity, improved self esteem, and consistent involvement in “12 step” activities. For those who had either Attention Deficit Disorder or Diagnosed mental illness, the need for continuation of medication was eliminated, and these graduates, specifically, identified more positive family and peer relationships. The evaluation concluded that, “For all recovery criteria evaluated, this outcome evaluation demonstrates significant improvement in the vast majority of clients, when compared with pre treatment. For adolescents with a Substance Dependence Disorder and Global Assessment of Functioning at a level of 55 or lower, which confirms serious addiction, the AARC treatment model demonstrates a high measure of success.”
