San Cristobal works in partnership with other treatment providers, including extended care treatment centers, counselors from community and university mental health services, and private mental health practitioners. Some of these partners recognize our particular niche expertise and routinely refer male clients in our targeted age group to us for treatment. Others refer their disruptive young men to us so that we can change their attitudes about recovery in a welcoming and supportive environment before we return them to our partners for further treatment. We have successfully treated many such clients and have developed special techniques for quickly and effectively realigning their attitudes about treatment programs as well as their own recovery.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE:
Who do you treat?
San Cristobal Treatment Center is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of young male addicts aged 17 to 26. Clients are placed in teams of approximately eight participants for the duration of their stay and undergo treatment with their group peers. In treating our clients, we use evidence-based methodologies as well as traditional and non-traditional modalities proven to be successful in treating young men challenged by substance abuse, emotional /behavioral issues, psychiatric diagnoses, low self-esteem, legal problems, no motivation, few practical life skills and little or no sense of a future direction in life. Many of our clients have struggled at other treatment centers, but we welcome them here. We are on a mission to help this underserved treatment population break the addiction cycle.
What disorders does San Cristobal treat?
We are one of the few treatment centers accepting young males with an experienced clinical staff licensed in both substance abuse and mental health disorders. One of the reasons we are successful in treating these difficult cases is that we acknowledge the intimate physiological and emotional needs of young men and treat whatever disorders are at play against this backdrop of understanding. The cornerstone of our success in this regard is a specialized treatment plan — our treatment plans are Individualized specifically to the complex bio-psycho-social needs of each of our clients.
How are you different from other programs?
We are smaller than many treatment centers and specialize solely in the treatment of young men ages 17 to 26. Our treatment approach, facilities and focus all reflect the unique needs of this hard-to-treat population. In addition, our high-quality clinical care, special activities and supportive community setting combine to get through to young male addicts and break the cycle of self-destructive behavior that endangers them.
We are located on an isolated ranch in the mountains outside of Taos, New Mexico – an ideal recovery environment for young adult males. Our program acknowledges that young men are inherently thrill seekers, can be fueled by impulsive behavior and need a component of physical activity to stay focused. Our program includes lots of outdoor activities, such as back country backpacking trips, plus other opportunities such as a woodshop, recording studio, horseback riding and sports. We have clinicians on staff and also pair every client with a staff member mentor who is in recovery himself. Our staff-to-patient ratio is very high.
How do you handle disruptive clients?
We have welcomed many young men to San Cristobal who have been unsuccessful adhering to other treatment programs. Our clinical program, high level of physical activities, outdoor adventure options and professional staff all help channel the energy of our clients toward more productive ends. One of our most successful treatments for breaking the cycle of disruptive behavior is to take a resistant client out of the community setting and send them into the wilderness on a 21-day trek with an experienced wilderness guide. During this time, the patient has no access to communication with the outside world or any electronic devices. Under the leadership of their guide, and the influence of the surrounding environment, the client is urged to take a deeper look at himself, to face traumas or fears that may be impeding their progress, and to acknowledge that their life is one worth saving. By the time our young men return from this Solo Quest, they are generally more willing participants in recovery for both themselves and others. This technique has been so successful that we accommodate patients from other recovery centers solely for this experience. (Please note that this experience is not part of the regular treatment program and is billed separately.)
Can you work with our longer-term program?
Yes. While we specialize in intense, primary treatment, we believe in transitioning clients to extended care programs Part of our program is to help the family create an after-care plan that provides our clients with the support and opportunities they need to continue their recovery.
What kinds of treatment do you employ?
We approach addiction treatment against the backdrop of the specialized needs that young man ages 17 to 26 have. This means addressing treatment from a clinical, emotional, psychiatric and physical standpoint. Every client is evaluated individually and given a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. We use treatment methods recognized as standard within the industry, combining group and individual therapy with exercise, outdoor adventure and opportunities to test new skills. We believe in encouraging our clients to explore a variety of spiritual options and to build inner strength. As part of this focus, San Cristobal incorporates the 12 Step Recovery method into every aspect of its program. All clients will gain a clear understanding of the help and support of the addiction/recovery community as a resource they can rely on for the rest of their lives. Clients are expected to attend meetings, live and work the principles defined in the Steps in their everyday lives, have an active relationship with a sponsor and work through a Step notebook that guides them in these principles.
How long is your program?
Our program lasts between 90 to 180 days. We offer after-care planning that includes some level of monitoring once a client leaves San Cristobal.
Do you offer an educational component?
No. We view education services as a next step in treatment. San Cristobal is a time and a place where deep, clinical treatment and an exploration of internal issues takes place. Every moment of time we have available is spent on these priorities, a focus that is necessary to permanently break the cycle of addiction and prepare our clients for being more receptive to learning life skills and continuing their education. This doesn’t mean we can’t prepare clients for transition into either an educational environment or an education-oriented, extended-care treatment program. Our individual treatment plans make room for preparing clients for transition to an extended-care treatment program that could include an educational component. Depending on progress, the final weeks of a client’s stay at San Cristobal can include preparing for this transition to take place.