Florida Partners in Crisis

Tampa's Phoenix House is helping teens find alternatives to drugs

March 7, 2010

Even after his arrest for smoking pot, "Tony" said he didn't really think he needed drug abuse counseling.

The 17-year-old Tampa high school senior said he initially entered an outpatient treatment program at the Phoenix House Derek Jeter Center "because it would make me look in good in court."

But, after participating in group therapy sessions at Phoenix House, "I realized that what I was doing was wrong," he said.

The Phoenix House program has also helped him become more motivated at school, he said.  "I thought, 'If I'm doing good in this program, than I can do better in school, too."

Tony, who asked that his real name not be disclosed, is participating in a special jail diversion program for juveniles known as The Walker Plan and operated by the 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office. If he successfully completes his treatment program and sanctions outlined in his agreement with the court, his legal charges will be dismissed.

He is one of about 170 teenagers enrolled in the Phoenix House outpatient program and the Teen Recovery Management program which offers aftercare support. Both are designed to help teens get off drugs and/or alcohol and to stay off them.  

Jack Feinberg

The program for teens located in Tampa opened in 2004, "and we've been full ever since because there is such a demand," said Jack Feinberg, vice president and clinical director for Phoenix House's Florida region. 

Teens 13 to 18 are referred to Phoenix House from a variety of sources.  Some are in the juvenile drug court or diversion program.  Others are referred by social services agencies, schools or concerned parents. Clients range from high school valedictorians to gang members, according to Feinberg. 

What makes Phoenix House special, Feinberg says, is that the program "is so much more individualized than the typical outpatient program."  While these kids may look the same, they're not, so we customize each treatment plan."

Also emphasized at Phoenix House is the use of evidence-based practices. 

The program operates five days a week during after school hours. Teens are required to participate in a minimum of one individualized counseling session each week with a clinical therapist, in addition to group therapy. 

There is no mandatory length of stay in the program, according to Feinberg.  How long someone participates depends on their needs or how long the diversion program says they must stay in treatment.

The average length of stay is about 70 days, with the range anywhere from one month to seven months.  Those who are in juvenile drug court have the longer lengths of stay. 

Phoenix House uses its urinalysis program is a preventative tool, Feinberg said.  He said most teenagers have a goal of "beating the test."  But, he said Phoenix House uses a "technologically sophisticated" test and lets kids know they'll be tested randomly and frequently.

Tony said he doesn't mind the random drug tests.  "I look forward to the drug testing because it gives me a sense of accomplishment," he said. 

The Department of Children & Families is the primary source of funding for the program.  Phoenix House also gets funding from a U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grant and from the Turn 2 Foundation created by New York Yankees all-star Derek Jeter, who has a home in Tampa and a special interest in helping kids avoid drugs.

The interior of Phoenix House, located in an office park near the Tampa Airport, is bright and airy, with Jeter memorabilia decorating its walls. 

Outdoor therapy session at Phoenix House

The key to Phoenix House's success, said Feinberg, are the recovery coaches and their supportive relationships with the teens.  Each participant is paired up with a recovery coach, who tunes in to the teen's personal interests and helps with solving personal problems.

The coaches aren't professional counselors but they are "people who have good skills working with teens," he said.  

They help teens in the program work on building up "recovery capital"—the positive skills that help them stay in recovery.

Recreational activities are planned in the evenings and on the weekends to help participants stay engaged in the recovery process.  These include an art night and music night, along with special activities such as a visit from a personal trainer. 

"We want teens to know they can have fun without getting high," Feinberg said.

The program's successful discharge rate is more than 90 percent—representing those teens who complete services rather than those transferred to a higher level of care or unsuccessfully discharged. Among those who complete the program, for 30 days pre-discharge, "close to 100 percent" of participants have not used drugs, Feinberg said.  

Tony will complete his six-months of court sanctions on June 5, about the time he graduates from high school.  He's optimistic about his future.   "I look back at what I was doing and I don't miss anything," he said.