Comprehensive Addiction Program for Adolescents - CAPA

Teenagers are most impressionable and vulnerable to substance use problems. Once they begin using substances, their risk for serious problems, as well as the cost to them, their families and their community increases dramatically.

The Addiction Institute of New York in collaboration with the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provides an alternative for New York City teenagers who have just started abusing substances or who have already been in significant substance-related trouble. These problems may include: depression and other mood-related disorders, mild to moderate behavior problems (angry outbursts, disrespect, breaking family rules, lying, truancy, early run-ins with the police), school problems and/or legal problems.

We help teenagers become motivated, examine and change their destructive behaviors, learn to cope effectively with life stresses, and become abstinent from mood-altering substances. Based upon the needs of the teenager and her or his family, we provide an intensive day-treatment program in combination with on-site New York City Department of Education educational services.

On-Site High School
In conjunction with the New York City Board of Education, CAPA provides an on-site high school for teenagers in recovery from substance abuse. Certified teachers are provided by the New York City Board of Education. Classes lead to either a Regents Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

After School Program
We provide after school services that include relapse prevention and coping-skills training for teens, ages 14-18, who have started abusing substances, but are still functioning relatively well at school, at home and in the community.

Many substance-abusing teens come from families where another member abuses substances or where there are other serious problems. At the same time, teens need the support of their families to remain drug-free. CAPA provides family education services, family therapy, and crisis intervention for the entire family.

Intensive Day Program
CAPA offers an intensive, five-day-a-week treatment program for teens who need a significant level of structure to turn their lives around. The intensive day program offers the following services:
• Treatment Readiness Groups
• Recovery Skills Groups
• Drug Screening
• Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings (AA)
• Psychiatric Services
• Individual & Group Therapy

For Information Contact
Daniel Medeiros, M.D.
(212) 523-7156

For evaluation appointments and/or additional information, please call Access Center at (212) 523-6491.