According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), more than a quarter of a million youths in the US are admitted to rehab treatment centers annually.  To put it in other terms, that’s 1 out of every 70 youths (Middle school to High school aged).  Thankfully, some US organizations, like the Association of Recovery Schools, have taken progressive action to curb youth addiction and substance abuse.  Currently, there are more than 20 “Recovery High Schools” across nine US states.  But what exactly is a Recovery High school?

Most of these innovative High schools are usually funded by a mix of support from statewide Department’s of Public Health and local school districts.  Their aim is to provide students more intimate drug-free environments (smaller class sizes, typically, 50 students), where they can focus on their studies.  In addition, the majority offer group sessions, 12 step programs as part of the curriculum, as well as random, weekly urine tests.  Upon completion, students are awarded a state-certified diploma authenticating their accomplishment of the program.

Although some of the schools that form the Recovery High schools, haven’t been around very long, others like Sobriety High first opened 1987 outside Minneapolis.  Since the first Sobriety High school’s opening, three more of its kind have sprouted in the surrounding area.  For a nationwide index of currently active Recovery High schools, click this link: http://www.recoveryschools.org/schools_highschool.html

Included on the list is Northshore Recovery High School, which has been around three years and was recently featured in CNN’s new documentary, Addiction – Life on the Edge.  One student interviewed by host Sanjay Gupta, Lucy Gross, said that Northshore Recovery High School, “helps me so much,” adding, “I can’t imagine staying clean without it.”