Seven Challenges

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When I said research based, that basically means that research has shown this intervention to be more effective than the interventions it was compared to.The things about Seven Challenges that stood out to me, and that I think make it a great program are:- It makes a big deal of not trying to talk the kids into quitting. Typically there is a rush to abstinence which isn't very well founded. A kid will promise abstinence based on getting rid of the negative effects of drugs and alcohol. I'll stay out of jail, get the folks off my back, not be a zombie. But quitting for those reasons is usually not successful in the long run.- It encourages kids to deal with the positives of using. This scares a lot of people. But what happens typically is that a program pounds away on how abstinence will eliminate the negatives of drug use, but it ignores that fact that it also eliminates the positives (or perceived positives) of drug use. Those things have to be dealt with as well. The end result is that the kid, through the program, is able to make a well informed decision around his or her use.- Probably the most fundamentally different thing about this program (other than it being targeted specifically to adolescents) is the fact that it is a holistic approach. It's not just about "stay sober at all costs". It deals with all aspects of the kids' lives, all of which contribute to their use.I'm sold on it. Can you tell?Here's the site with basic info if you're interested. Seven Challenges

I can't say I dealt with that sort of thing for addiction (well, a bit for smoking). I guess I had an awesome counselor. She would remind me in my most depressed times, how GOOD it felt to be snuggled up in my blankie, and how there is a "positive" side, that I felt I needed. I guess it helped encourage me to get a little snuggling in, for the comfort, and get out of bed for the rest of the time.(well, and not to mention you guys encouraging)As for her approach on smoking, it helps me, to remember what I perceive as "positive" and realize there are other alternatives.

I like those ideas.

Does this application work for inmates as well? The site talks about youth.It seems like a great approach.

If the inmates are adolescents, I don't see why not.A question came up in the training I did about using the program for adults. The trainer (who was the guy that developed the program) asked the person not to do that. For one thing, there is no evidence supporting its effectiveness with adults. (Of course, there can be no research on that until it is tried with adults.)But the main reason is that the program was developed specifically for adolescents and, by the time you made all the changes needed to allow it to be useful for adults, it wouldn't be the same program. But it would be interesting if someone would work with the original developer to develop something similar for adults.

Odd, no study to know if it works with adults. Doesn't the addict sort of go into a time warp of sorts.

I mean like, if a guy started drugs at 15 and is incarcerated at say 23 and is an addict, isn't his mind still that of a 15 year old? Why wouldn't a similar approach work on that guy any worse than it would on the (real) 15yr old?

Hmmmm, good point.

I'm not saying the principles themselves wouldn't be applicable toward adults.However, the program is designed specifically for adolescents. Meaning it deals with things like developmental stages, adolescent identity, looking toward adulthood, co-occurring disorders typical to adolescents, and that sort of thing.Besides, the books and journals and whatnots are very specific toward kids, to the point that the material would seem rather condescending to adults.As for your example, the guy wouldn't necessarily have the mind of a 15 year old because of his use. But even if he did, his life issues would still be those of a 23 year old.

Gotcha. That makes sense. I hope you help a lot of kids with it!

I found out yesterday that a girl I've been seeing for a few weeks did the Seven Challenges. I knew she came out of rehab and she is really doing well and has a great attitude. She's really a lifetime success story, I think. And then I found out she did the SC program. that was cool to talk to her about it.