The Fortune Society’s Substance Use Treatment services support individuals struggling with substance use issues, helping them overcome their dependence through evidence-based practices. Participants in this program receive personalized outpatient counseling and take part in group sessions. These services aim to aid recovery by teaching problem-solving strategies that help maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. 

Participants seeking treatment must first complete a thorough intake process. The process includes a standard psychosocial assessment, a medical assessment, and a series of baseline drug tests. This intake acts as the foundation for everyone’s individual treatment plans.  

Once enrolled in the Substance Use Treatment, participants must meet with their counselors at least once weekly and attend three groups each week. The weekly groups discuss topics such as relapse prevention, coping strategies, building healthy relationships, enhancing motivation, and practicing positive thinking, all related to substance use, recovery, and behavior change.  

Clifford, a Substance Abuse Counselor, emphasized that Substance Use Treatment aims to impact participants’ ways of thinking. The treatment is designed to shift participants’ mindsets to one that prioritizes healthy habits and personal growth. He leads a weekly group called “Thinking for a Change” that elaborates on this idea. 

“It sounds self-explanatory, and to a certain degree it is, but it is evidence-based and curriculum-based,” Clifford explained. “It’s thinking about, ‘What are those things that allow you to think in a certain way and behave in a certain way?’ And ‘What can we do to change that thought process and help you think differently?’”

As a Substance Abuse Counselor, Clifford provides essential support to his caseload of participants. From the initial meeting to the completion of the program, he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure participants feel respected and supported during this vulnerable time. Drawing from his own life experiences, he builds trust and rapport with participants, encouraging them to engage with the program entirely.  

Jennifer is one participant profoundly impacted by the “Thinking for a Change” group led by Clifford. She expressed that, after attending the weekly meetings, she began to see a side of herself she had never seen.  

“[When I came to Fortune,] I just needed someone to understand me, someone to talk to, someone that has been there before,” Jennifer said. “Mr. Rice was that person. He knew where my mindset was, my triggers. He knew right where I was, and he actually met me there. And he took the time to listen and help me start to shift my perspective.”  

While attending Substance Use Treatment, Jennifer reflected on her past and explored the traumas that continued to hurt her through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This evidence-based practice is crucial to interrupting negative thought patterns.    

“Learning about cognitive behavior, learning from different perspectives and realizing the effects of trauma made such a huge difference to me,” Jennifer shared. “Now, I can identify my triggers rather than always thinking something’s wrong with me. Because of that, I’m regaining myself, and I like what I see.”  

Although Jennifer completed the program, the weekly groups have become an invaluable resource for her at Fortune. She continues to lean on staff members like Clifford for support as she pursues her professional and personal goals.