Silverado Boys Ranch - Substance Abuse

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Substance Abuse

Students on Lawn

A significant percentage of our students come to the academy with a substance abuse history. We believe that an important goal of the program is to create an environment that is abstinent and recovery focused. Treatment goals will be developed for students who come to us with a history of substance abuse. All students will receive education and information regarding substance abuse regardless of their history with illegal substances.

Silverado Academy utilizes Charlotte Sophia Kasl, Ph.D., empowerment model known as the "16-Steps". This model is positive, holistic, and flexible based on love and power. It is a socially conscious approach that honors cultural differences and individual needs. The model provides an invaluable source of support and information for people wanting to build self-esteem, affirm their inner wisdom, and address interrelated nature of all addictions.

Linda runs our substance abuse meetings

16-Steps for Discovery and Empowerment

The 16-step empowerment model is a holistic approach to overcoming addiction that views people in their wholeness-- mind, body, and spirit. A fundamental basis of this model is flexibility and an openness, which leads to continually ask: What works? Whom does it work for? In addition, how can we help it work better? It encourages people to be continually open to new information. At its core, this model is based on love; internal control; affirmation; and trust in the ability of people to find their own healing path when given education, support, hope, and choices.

The 16-step model helps people to develop ego strength, which is seen as having a healthy ability to be introspective and to ask oneself the questions:Who am I? What do I value, believe, and want?

In the 16-step model, addiction is as a complex web of social factors, physical, pre-disposition and personal history. This empowerment model encourages individuals to develop their own internal belief system based on their perceptions and experiences. It is fluid and open to change as the person evolves. It believes that a major task of healing from addiction is to validate the underlying, positive survival goals for safety, connection, pleasure, love, and power. Then to find non-addictive and positive ways to meet those needs. It is also crucial to create a healthy physical balance to prevent cravings.

The 16-step model encourages people to use this or any other model as a springboard to find their own voice. While it is crucial to acknowledge the power of addiction, this model helps people affirm the power they do have to take charge of their lives and deal with their addiction. Developing one's passion, finding purpose, bonding with others, and becoming involved in social change are seen as antidotes to addiction. This approach does not posture itself as the one way or the right way, nor does it make assumptions about the length of time it takes or the path that must be followed.

The 16-steps that follow are published in Many Roads, One Journey: Moving Beyond the 12 Steps and in Yes, You Can! A Guide to Empowerment Groups. They are currently in use in an estimated 200-300 groups nationwide, as well as a rapidly growing number of treatment programs.

The 16-Steps
1)	We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives and stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem and security.
	Alternative: We admit/acknowledge we are out of control with/powerless over ________ yet have the power to take charge of our lives and stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem and security.
2)	We come to believe that God/Goddess/Universe/Great Spirit/Higher Power awakens the healing wisdom within us when we open ourselves to the power.
3)	We make a decision to become our authentic selves and trust in the healing power of the truth.
4)	We examine our beliefs, addictions, and dependent behavior in the context of living in a hierarchical, patriarchal culture.
5)	We share with another person and the Universe all those things inside of us for which we feel shame and guilt.
6)	We affirm and enjoy our intelligence, strengths, and creativity, remembering not to hide these qualities from ourselves and others.
7)	We become willing to let go of shame, guilt, and any behavior that keeps us from loving ourselves and others.
8)	We make a list of people we have harmed and people who have harmed us, and take steps to clear out negative energy by making amends and sharing our grievances in a respectful way.
9)	We express love and gratitude to others and increasingly appreciate the wonder of life and the blessings we do have.
10)	We learn to trust our reality and daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know, and we feel what we feel.
11)	We promptly admit to mistakes and make amends when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have not done and we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for the shortcomings of others.
12)	We seek out situations, jobs, and people who affirm our intelligence, perceptions, and self-worth and avoid situations or people who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.
13)	We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.
14)	We seek to find our inward calling, and develop the will and wisdom to follow it.
15)	We accept the ups and downs of life as natural events that can be used as lessons for our growth.
16)	We grow in awareness that we are sacred beings, interrelated with all living things, and we contribute to restoring peace and balance on the plane

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Information

Mark T

"Silverado has exceeded all of our expectations. We have seen significant improvements in our son’s attitude toward school, friends, family, and life. The balanced combination of academics, therapy, and outdoor activities form a solid platform to transform troubled teenage boys into healthy young men."

Jeff W.

"Silverado is a place where our son could learn about himself and explore his challenges with the support of an entire community, including his counselors, teachers, supervisors, and peers. The staff members show genuine concern for the well-being of every boy and make sincere, constructive efforts to build a family environment. Silverado’s philosophy of work, love, and play as well as its emphasis on connecting students with nature within very special settings were all factors of our placement decision for our son."

Natalie S.

"The natural beauty and outdoor activities coupled with the fine academics and warm and caring staff made Silverado a natural and healthy choice for our son and for us."

Randy S.

"We did know where to turn for help… Silverado saved his life and gave us back our “real” son."

Trish

"The tremendous passion, commitment, and love the SBR staff demonstrate to our boys is evidenced daily through their core principles of work, love, and play. I now see they are setting the stage for our son to become a man, and are helping us become the parents we need to be for our son."

Lee D.

"The balance of academics and therapy in a family atmosphere has had a great impact on our son and our family"

Sally & Dave W

"We sent our son of to wilderness an angry young boy, and he returned from Silverado a calm young man. What a difference the right environment makes. Thanks Silverado!"

Fay & Howard

" We can sleep at night knowing that at every level of care--from the therapists and teachers to the administration and support staff--Silverado provides a safe, nurturing haven for our son. In a short amount of time, our son's performance and attitude toward school, his relationships, and everyday functioning have greatly improved. The standards are high here, and the T.R.U.S.T. level system works!"

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