Triple Divide Lodge, a clinically managed residential care community, recently emphasized the critical need for ongoing support for recovering clients and families struggling with and affected by substance use disorders. During their Family Program, Executive Director Patrick Hawkins discussed the role of families and the importance of a continuum of care. The Family Program at Triple Divide Lodge provides families with a comprehensive understanding of addiction’s impact and supports their recovery journey. With empathy and collaboration, Triple Divide supports families and equips clients with the tools for sustainable recovery. The team encourages individuals to reflect on their next steps in substance abuse treatment, providing access to local resources for a successful journey to recovery.

“We don’t use the term aftercare,” Hawkins explained to parents and siblings, “because it implies something is completed. We want to look at this as a continuum. The idea for many families has been ‘fix them so I can bring them back’… This works for broken legs or appendicitis, but it doesn’t work for substance abuse or mental health issues. Success can go back and forth a little bit, and that is the dynamic nature of the condition. It’s about really meeting the client where they are.” Hawkins highlighted the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria for determining appropriate care levels, stressing the dynamic nature of recovery.

Many factors go into what becomes the continuing care plan. “None of us are ready to do it on our own; we have to see what’s the best thing for our recovery, for our son to be successful,” explained Hawkins. Recognizing the vital role of families, Triple Divide works closely with referring professionals (Educational Consultants, Therapists, treatment programs, etc.) to source local resources for the families to begin to tap into and utilize back at home. From there, a continuing care plan is created, recommendations are made, and the family becomes empowered to choose what they believe is best for their son. One mother at Triple Divide Lodge had an epiphany during the seminar, “I was panicking thinking I need to be this expert now, but I didn’t realize the level of support we had.”

Triple Divide Lodge is licensed as a 3.5 medium intensity clinically managed level of care that provides medical and psychiatric care to young men, focusing on a continuum tailored to individual needs. The goal is for clients to reintegrate into their families and communities successfully. Hawkins noted, “For most of these guys, the goal should be to get home. That’s our goal because sobriety is about living in the normal world and being able to do whatever anyone else can do — while not using.” 

To learn more about Triple Divide Lodge, contact Chase Sewell at Chase@TripleDivideLodge.com

About Triple Divide Lodge

Triple Divide Lodge is a 90-day combination residential and wilderness adventure treatment program for adolescent males ages 14-19. Young men enrolled in the program have a history of substance abuse disorder and possible co-occurring disorders. Our model assists clients in overcoming their substance use issues by getting outside their comfort zones and experiencing the growth the wilderness inspires.