The adolescent programming at Rush Behavioral Health - Lake Forest is designed to help adolescents age 13 to 20, and their parents, address the youth’s problem with substance use. This use can interfere with communication at home, school performance, work productivity, and/or legal issues, where applicable.  Abstinence from alcohol and all other drugs is part of the means to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Group therapy is the primary method of treatment. We incorporate the 12-step model of recovery and utilize 12-step volunteers, as this has been demonstrated by research and experience to be the most effective method in addressing substance use problems.  Individual and family sessions are valuable and may be scheduled with a counselor outside of group sessions. Outside professionals, such as school social workers, counselors, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists can be valuable contacts.  With our patient’s permission, we work as a team with referral sources.

Most patients come to treatment as a result of problems at school, at home or due to legal involvement.  Many suffer from additional issues that greatly impact their chemical use and their lives, such as attention deficit disorder, depression, bipolar disorder or other mood related issues.  Therefore, addressing “dual disorders” is a significant part of the treatment process.

Additional programming is now available to address eating disorders for adolescents.  Anorexia, bulimia and disorders not otherwise specified (often thought of as compulsive overeating)  can pose a serious threat to the physical and emotional well-being of adolescents in our community.  Rush Behavioral Health - Lake Forest has a long, successful history of providing eating disorder services to adults. This expertise is now made available to adolescents in our community at an intensive outpatient level of care.

Treatment Options

• Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program Track I: Evenings (Mon, Tues., Thurs. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Fri: 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.)
• Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program Track II: Evenings (Mon, Tues, Thurs.: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fri.:5:00 to 7:30 p.m.)
• Continuing Care (Aftercare) Program: (Mon: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Thurs: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.)
• Extended Aftercare Program:  (When needed, biweekly for 1 and 1/2 hrs.)
• Drug Education: (One session only, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; scheduled one Saturday per month)
• Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program: Evenings (Mon: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tues, Thurs: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Fri: 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.)

Average length of stay for Intensive Outpatient is 7 to 10 weeks, with appropriate aftercare to follow.  For additional information, or to schedule an assessment, please call:  (312) 563-3100.