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In a nation where approximately 21 million individuals grapple with addiction, it’s alarming that over 90% of these individuals began using alcohol or drugs before turning 18. The phrase “just say no” has become a punchline, and the multi-trillion-dollar war on drugs seems to have yielded minimal results. Despite the scale of the issue, efforts to tackle substance abuse remain inadequate, raising the question of why we aren’t leveraging every available resource to intervene early. One such resource that deserves more attention is recovery high schools, specifically designed to cater to students recovering from substance abuse and related issues like depression and anxiety. Yet, many are still unaware of their existence.
Public schools traditionally have not taken on the responsibility of addressing the needs of students with substance abuse challenges. It’s understandable; educators juggle multiple responsibilities, from teaching to managing classrooms and completing extensive paperwork, leaving little room for specialized training to support this unique group of students. Andrew Finch, co-founder of the Association of Recovery Schools and a professor at Vanderbilt University, acknowledges this gap in adolescent treatment. “Recovery schools help fill that gap,” he states.
Similar to traditional public schools, recovery high schools adhere to state educational standards, although students may progress at different rates. The staff is often supplemented by substance abuse counselors and mental health professionals. Many programs encourage students to engage in external treatment while pursuing their academic goals. Furthermore, recovery high schools often involve families, teaching them how to effectively support their teens as they embrace a recovery-oriented lifestyle.
The mission of the Association of Recovery Schools extends beyond mere education. Badih Rask, a parent at Harmony Academy, emphasizes the transformative experience students undergo, stating, “It’s not just about recovery; it’s about recovering the whole person.” Unfortunately, Harmony Academy is currently the only recovery high school in Oregon.
Recovery high schools foster a sense of community, which is essential for achieving recovery goals. Students connect with peers who understand their experiences, breaking the isolation often associated with substance abuse. Emily Rask describes the environment as a “very close community… it’s like a second family,” something she felt was lacking in traditional public schools. Seth Welch, a counselor at Interagency Queen Anne in Seattle, concurs, emphasizing the importance of engaging with peers in recovery to form a supportive new community.
Displacing a student who has formed connections in a supportive environment and reintegrating them into a setting filled with non-sober peers can lead to setbacks. During high school, friends often hold more sway over decisions than parents, regardless of whether those choices are beneficial or harmful. According to a 2020 Monitoring the Future Study, nearly 37% of high school seniors reported using illicit drugs in the past year, with over 56% admitting to consuming alcohol. This indicates that many adolescents are surrounded by peers making poor choices.
Research indicates that students who complete a recovery high school program experience a relapse rate of just 30% within six months, significantly lower than that of standard intervention programs. As one student from Philadelphia’s Bridge Way noted, “I think I would probably be dead if I had returned to my old high school—just being candid.”
Despite their effectiveness, recovery high schools are scarce, with only 34 operating across the U.S., serving an estimated 2,000 students struggling with addiction. This is a drop in the bucket compared to the over two million 12 to 17-year-olds who have used drugs in the last month. This represents a vast population of at-risk youth being overlooked by the education system.
The reluctance of school districts to establish recovery high schools often stems from financial considerations, as noted by New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak, co-founder of the state’s only recovery high school. “They’re heartless and they’re cruel because they don’t care about the child; they only care about the money,” Lesniak explained. The cost per pupil in recovery high schools typically ranges from $16,000 to $18,000 annually, compared to an average of $11,000 in traditional schools, making funding a contentious issue.
Societal stigma also plays a significant role in this hesitance. As Traci Bowermaster, a teacher at the White Bear Lake Area Learning Center in Minnesota, pointed out, young addicts are often unjustly labeled as “throwaway kids.” In reality, these are young individuals with immense potential, facing substantial challenges and striving to overcome them.
It is high time we recognize that these students are not “throwaway” kids, and recovery high schools should not be viewed as “throwaway” institutions. They should not be rare exceptions but rather standard elements of our educational landscape.
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Summary
Recovery high schools serve a vital role in addressing the needs of students recovering from substance abuse. These institutions create supportive environments that help students connect with peers who understand their struggles, ultimately reducing relapse rates. However, their limited numbers and the reluctance of school districts to invest in these programs contribute to the ongoing neglect of at-risk youth. It’s crucial to shift the perception surrounding these students and advocate for recovery high schools to become a standard part of our education system.