Adult Substance Abuse
Commit to change. We're here to help.
All First Step adult treatment programs are customized to each client's needs and unique set of circumstances. While treatment plans vary for each client, every First Step client receives:
- Dignity and respect. We're here to help, not judge.
- Care by our highly qualified staff with over 80 years of combined experience.
- Opportunity for family involvement to make treatment more successful.
- Gender-specific programs available.
Take the First Step: Evaluation and Assessment
The results of an alcohol/other drug evaluation will lead to a recommendation based on the severity of the problem. Call First Step today at (402) 434-2730 to schedule an appointment.
Warning Signs of Chemical Dependency:
- Personality change when drinking/using
- Loss of interest in family/social/personal matters
- Loss of interest in former pursuits
- Resent suggestions to cut down or is hostile toward people who do not approve of his/her drinking/using
- Forgets appointments/plans and/or changes schedule in order to drink/use
- Has become negative and less tolerant
- Angers easily or is frequently irritable
- Denies negative consequences of drinking/using
- Frequently seems preoccupied or has more difficulty concentrating on important matters
- Seems to blame other for his/her behaviors or problems
- Manipulates others to accommodate his/her drinking/using
Program Philosophy
First Step's outpatient programs provide personalized treatment times convenient to your schedule with minimal interruptions to your life.
Your outpatient program will involve group therapy where clients are encouraged to interact with others who are experiencing similar difficulties in their lives.
Our progressive recovery programs are based on a holistic, 12-step, abstinence based model of recovery. Treatment is designed to help clients (and their families) gain a thorough understanding about abuse and addiction, contributing thought patterns, and environmental triggers. First Step helps to make behavioral changes so that a more positive lifestyle can be achieved.
For Women Only
Research has shown that women have specific treatment issues that are not covered in traditional groups. First Step has developed an outpatient treatment program to address specifically how alcohol and other drugs impact a woman's health differently, physically, psychologically and emotionally.
This program also addresses mental health issues and is facilitated by a dually credentialed female counselor.
Program Descriptions
Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Program (ASAM Level II.I) - A group-focused, nonresidential program for chemically dependent or substance abusing adult clients who require a more restrictive treatment environment than provided by the Outpatient Program, but who do not require a residential program. Activities in the program focus on aiding clients to recognize their substance abuse problems and to develop knowledge and skills for making lifestyle changes necessary to maintain a life free from substance use. The program meets in a group setting three times per week for six (6) weeks with each session being three hours in length (total nine hours per week) with a certified counselor providing treatment services. Individual sessions if needed are in addition to the scheduled nine (9) hours per week and are arranged between the counselor and client. The second phase of the IOP program is being stepped down to an Outpatient (ASAM I.0) level of care where the client will attend once weekly for a period of 12-16 weeks based on individual progress. Aftercare is not required, but is offered at no cost as a support for clients who have completed the primary care programs. Aftercare groups meet once weekly for 60-90 minutes.
Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment (ASAM Level I.0) - Outpatient Group Counseling for substance abuse treatment which is a sixteen (16) week program that meets for three (3) hours in the morning or evening and is designed for individuals who are not chemically dependent but who are demonstrating patterns of chemical abuse. Outpatient Treatment (ASAM I.0) meets once weekly for a period of 12-16 weeks based on individual progress. Aftercare is not required, but is offered at no cost as a support for clients who have completed the primary care programs. Aftercare groups meet once weekly for 60-90 minutes.
Relapse Prevention Substance Abuse Treatment Program (ASAM Level I.0) - The Relapse Prevention Group is a 24 week program that addresses issues related to but not directly covered in Intensive Outpatient, Outpatient, or an Alcohol & Drug Education program. Cognitive-Behavioral treatment focused on criminal thinking, managing antisocial behavior traits, prosocial skills training, anger management, and relationship skills are examples of issues covered in group counseling. The Relapse Prevention Program meets once weekly for 90 minute groups and includes a once monthly individual session with the counselor if needed.
Alcohol & Drug Education Program (ASAM Level 0.5) - This is a group session that meets once weekly for 5 weeks for a minimum of 15 hours. This program is designed for individuals exhibiting issues or experiencing negative consequences related to substance use but do not necessarily meet diagnostic criteria for abuse or dependence. This is mainly for first time offenders or first time users that have experienced a legal or social issue related to drinking or using but have no other history or need for a higher level of care. The cost of this program is $135 for the entire 5 week program.
Individual Counseling - Clients who have individual counseling recommended will be assigned an individual counselor based on personal preferences, referral sources, client’s presenting problems and counselor expertise. First Step staff continues to grow in numbers and expertise with the goal of being able to provide a highly professional and qualified set of assessment and treatment services as well as ongoing individual and group counseling services. Individual sessions will be scheduled promptly within seven (7) days of your request and usually sooner than that. Emergency individual counseling sessions are also available if needed.
Women's Co-Occurring Intensive Outpatient Program (ASAM Level II.I) - A group-focused, nonresidential program for chemically dependent or substance abusing women who require a more restrictive treatment environment than provided by the Outpatient Program, but who do not require a residential program. This is a co-occurring disorders program meaning it addresses both mental health and substance abuse issues concurrently since these issues are often closely related and interact in women's lives daily. Activities in the program focus on aiding women to recognize their substance abuse and mental health problems, becoming aware of what codependency is and how it affects their lives, establishing a relapse prevention plan, and developing knowledge and skills for making lifestyle changes necessary to maintain a life free from returning to an unhealthy way of life. The program meets in a group setting three times per week for six (6) weeks with each session being three hours in length (total nine hours per week) with a dually credentialed counselor providing treatment services. Individual sessions are in addition to the scheduled nine (9) hours per week and are arranged between the counselor and client. The second phase of the IOP program is being stepped down to an Outpatient (ASAM I.0) level of care where the client will attend once weekly for a period of 12-16 weeks based on individual progress. Aftercare is not required, but is offered at no cost as a support for clients who have completed the primary care programs. Aftercare groups meet once weekly for 60-90 minutes.
Women's Co-Occurring Outpatient Program (ASAM Level I.0) - Outpatient Group Counseling for substance abusing women with co-occurring disorders which is a sixteen (16) week program that meets for three (3) hours in the morning, usually Mondays, and is designed for women who are not chemically dependent but who are demonstrating patterns of chemical abuse. Aftercare is not required, but is offered at no cost as a support for clients who have completed the primary care programs. Aftercare groups meet once weekly for 60-90 minutes.
Pretreatment & Treatment Readiness Group - The treatment readiness program is also known as the pretreatment program. Treatment for the clients at this stage will address vocational issues, family issues, social issues, and a primary focus on maintaining abstinence. The goal of pretreatment is to support treatment goals and recommendations, generate motivation for treatment and recovery, minimize the risk of relapse, and decrease the risk of criminal behavior for clients. This is accomplished through motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral skill building. Ultimately, after the pretreatment phase is complete, the client should feel ready, willing, and able to successfully complete their primary treatment program and go on to lead a healthier more productive life free of mood altering chemicals.
Family Care Group - This program meets in a group setting on Monday evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm once weekly. This program focuses on the family members of the individual struggling with an addiction and how to effectively help and cope with those issues on a daily basis. This program addresses how to identify and seek help for yourself and your loved ones as well as confronting family roles, enabling, healthy boundaries, and codependency. Al-Anon attendance is also encouraged as part of this family support program. Individual family sessions are available upon request.