Hazelden, one of the world’s largest and most respected private, nonprofit alcohol and drug addiction treatment centers, announced today it will invest $42 million to expand services to help young people who struggle with addiction find and maintain recovery.

An estimated 1.5 million American youth ages 12 to 17 meet the criteria for admission to alcoholism treatment, but only 7 percent receive treatment. Additionally, an estimated 1.4 million youth ages 12 to 17 meet the criteria for admission to treatment for illicit drug abuse, but only 9 percent receive treatment. With these staggering numbers in mind from SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies’ report, “Youth and Alcohol and Illicit Drug Treatment,” Hazelden is now launching increased efforts for youth treatment and recovery initiatives as a part of its strategic plan.

“An enormous gap exists today in meeting the addiction treatment needs of our nation’s young people,” says Jim Steinhagen, M.A., executive director of Hazelden Youth Services. “Hazelden has embarked upon an ambitious initiative that when complete, will help more of the nation’s young people and their families recover from addiction.”

As part of its commitment, Hazelden opens today the first collegiate sober housing facility offered in New York City, Tribeca Twelve. A first-of-its-kind collegiate recovery residence, Tribeca Twelve will serve young adults age 18 to 29 who are committed to their sobriety and who are attending college or planning to return to college. On-site services include resident advisors who provide individual coaching, education, academic liaison services, house meetings facilitation and monitoring, individualized recovery care plans, academic programming, drug testing to detect possible relapse, on-site Twelve Step meetings, and alumni activities.

In Minnesota, Hazelden will break ground this year for a major expansion of its Center for Youth and Families, which has helped thousands of youth find recovery since 1981. Located in Plymouth, Minnesota, the expansion includes construction of a new 32-bed unit for female patients, the addition of a gym and exercise room, and designated space for family programs and mental health services.  

“Hazelden is committed to reaching and helping millions more around the world find freedom from the disease of addiction, and young people are at the forefront of these efforts,” says Mark Mishek, Hazelden’s president and CEO. “As my colleague, Dr. Joseph Lee, says, ‘addiction is a disease that affects the entire family,’ and Hazelden is dedicated to supporting the addiction and recovery needs of each generation.”

In addition to the opening of Tribeca Twelve and the expansion of Plymouth, Hazelden will be keenly focused on new ways to deliver expert care and support to young people and their families with a number of key initiatives over the next several years, including:

• Outpatient Care—Developing recovery resource centers where young people and their families can go for outpatient addiction treatment, mental health services and related resources.
• Outpatient Recovery Management—Incorporating technology into creating an enhanced post-treatment program of personalized recovery coaching, guidance and support to help patients transition successfully to home life, school and work.
• Research—Researching new ways to deliver care and support to young people such as the Butler Center for Research study underway that examines the impact of text messaging on recovery for young people.
• Media Ventures—Developing electronic products, mobile applications, and services that help young people build lifelong recovery from addiction.
• Education—Providing greater access to evidence-based violence prevention programming that targets bullying, dating violence, and youth suicide – issues tied directly to alcohol and drug use among youth.

About Hazelden
Hazelden, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. Built on decades of knowledge and experience, Hazelden offers a comprehensive approach to addiction that addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher education, public advocacy, and publishing. Hazelden publishes over 600 trade books, distributes in the U.S., Canada and 37 other countries. Hazelden has facilities in Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Oregon, and Florida.