Youth Information Guide
-Please note there is a printer friendly PDF at the bottom of this page-
INTRODUCTION
If you are taking the time to read this, you are really considering making some important changes
in your life. Considering leaving your home, your friends, and your community for 10 weeks is not
an easy decision to make. We know change requires courage, determination and commitment.
We greatly respect the courage and strength of young people who decide to take their lives back
from drugs and/or alcohol.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
If you and your alcohol & drug counsellor have decided that Peak House is the right program for you,
the first step is to fill out the application package. There are four parts to the application,
one part is to be completed by you, one part is to be completed by your counsellor,
one part by your parent/caregiver, and the last part is to be completed by your family doctor.
Your alcohol & drug counsellor will forward the referral to Peak House when all parts have been completed.
When we receive your completed application, our Intake & Assessment counsellor
will review it. After the referral has been reviewed, we will contact your Alcohol and Drug counsellor
to obtain any additional information required and provide an approximate intake date. We will then contact you and
stay in regular contact until your intake date. If you live close to Vancouver, we will arrange for you to
visit Peak House and can answer any questions you may have about our program.
Sometimes there is a waiting period before a bed is available for you. During that time,
we expect that you will be seeing your alcohol and drug counsellor on a regular basis;
if you are not, we will not be able to consider you ready for treatment. We will keep in contact
with you and your alcohol and drug counsellor regarding the status of your application.
WHAT’S PEAK HOUSE?
Peak House is a large house located in Vancouver in a residential neighbourhood.
Young people who come to Peak House are from all over British Columbia and stay in
the Peak House home for the time that they are in the program. The house has 7
bedrooms- 6 of them are single rooms and one is a double room. Our program has
space for up to 8 youth at one time.
Peak House Is A Two-Part Residential Program:
The first part is a 2-week Assessment Phase…
You will work with the Assessment Counsellor, your Peak House Clinical Counsellor and the
Youth Counsellors to get settled in.
The first 2 weeks is a time for you and us to figure out if Peak House is the right program for you.
At Peak House, we are interested in supporting you to focus on the changes you
want to make and how we can support you to move in the direction you want to go.
During the first 2 weeks you will work on what we call, ‘orientation’ (see next page)
this will help you identify what you want to bring into your life and the areas you
want to focus on during your stay.
School is part of your first 2 weeks
Peak House has a Vancouver School Board teacher who works with the young people in
our program. Four mornings a week there is classroom time with our teacher, who
works with each young person to help them achieve their school goals. If you have
no intention of returning or continuing school then we will help you work out an
educational plan for your time in the program.
Peak House is a very safe and respectful environment with staff that will provide
lots of encouragement and support as you work toward making the changes that are
important to you.
2 WEEKS OF ORIENTATION/ASSESSMENT
During the first two weeks, you will work with our Intake and Assessment
Counsellor on a series of topics (the assessment modules).
• Dealing with Cravings
• Where am I at with using?
• How can I deal with all of these emotions?
• What’s the impact of using on my mind and body?
• Am I ready to make this change?
• What can I do to make my life safer?
• If residential treatment is not for me, then what?
• What do I want to do about school/work?
• Who am I without drugs and alcohol?
• Who/what are my supports?
• What do I want to bring into my life now that I am not using?
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FIRST TWO WEEKS?
Moving from Assessment into Treatment…
After the first 2 weeks, if you and the staff decide that you are ready, you will move
into the treatment phase of the program and complete the next eight weeks of the
program.
If you and the staff decide that Peak House is not the right program for you at
this time, your accomplishments in the assessment phase would be recognized and
would become part of an aftercare plan for you to take home.
WEEKDAY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Community Group
Every morning and evening seven days a week. This group is a check-in and a
discussion of any group business.
School
Youth attend school four mornings a week. School is 1:35 minutes per day so those
in school or returning to school can stay up-to-date in the most important areas.
Each resident works out an individualized plan of schoolwork with our teacher. If
you are not currently in school, our teacher will help you with your
educational/career plans.
Re-Authoring Group
This is our name for group therapy. This group will offer you the chance to ‘rewrite
your story’, bringing forward your wisdom and hopefully coming to new
understandings about yourself and your life. In this group you will be supported in
the changes you are making and will be encouraged to remember qualities and gifts
about yourself that may have been covered up or disappeared by drugs and alcohol.
We believe that you hold the answers and some real expertise about how to
overcome problems. We’ll help you remember this and hang on to your wisdom about
reclaiming your life from substance use. This group happens four days a week with
therapists and a youth counsellor.
Gender Group
This group happens one day a week. It is the only part of the program that is
separated by gender. Youth are encouraged to discuss gender specific topics in a
Clinical Counsellor led group. Some examples might be discussing dating, media influences
and respect. This group pays attention to the ways that alcohol and drugs are
connected to your particular life experiences. Peak House is a queer positive
environment and gender group is designed to be a safe space for everyone.
Discovery Group
Five days a week with Youth Counsellors. Each Discovery Group has a theme related
to lifeskills, relapse prevention or aftercare planning. Residents work together
with the support of staff to strategize about tools to hold on to the changes they
are making here at Peak House.
Creative Expression
One afternoon each week we get creative! Activities have included photography,
pottery, jewelry making, stencil art, button making and other fun activities. There
are also lots of art supplies around the house that you are welcome to use in your
spare time.
Physical Fitness
Three afternoons a week we participate in fitness. Activities will include swimming,
light hikes, basketball, soccer, working out in the gym – activities may differ,
depending on time of year. We go to yoga twice a month, the class is just for Peak
House youth.
Family Night
Wednesday evenings are a chance for you to visit with family or supportive people
in your life. A maximum of 2 visitors per youth come to the house and join us for
dinner. Just like your contact list, visitors are pre-approved by your Clinical Counsellor.
Community Support Groups
Two evenings per week youth attend (outside of Peak House) either a NA or AA
meeting in order to get familiar with available community supports.
Community Resource Education
Wednesday evenings resource people from the community come to Peak House. It
could be a storyteller, a poet, public health nurse, Planned Parenthood, GAB, or a
former resident.
Acupuncture/ De-stress Group
Acupuncture happens each Wednesday afternoon. Our registered acupuncturist will
explain to you how this works. There will be various options for participation in this
group. You are welcome to get acupuncture or just learn about relaxation ideas.
Meetings With Your Clinical Counsellor
Once a week you will meet individually with your therapist. Family meetings with
your Clinical Counsellor are available and encouraged.
WEEKEND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Weekends are all about learning to have fun without drugs or alcohol. Friday
evening is movie night. Saturday and Sunday you might go bowling, play pool, attend
a concert or soccer game or go out to karaoke.
Our cook is not here on weekend so staff and the young people work together to
plan and prepare meals. Don’t worry if you can’t cook, this is an opportunity for you
to learn this life skill.
“It’s great that they keep you busy at Peak House because you don’t get
bored. The activities, especially on the weekend, were good times- I
remembered how to have fun again...” – Peak House resident
OUR STAFF TEAM
Our staff team includes management and administrative staff, clinical supervisor,
intake & assessment counsellor, youth counsellors (both full time and relief),
mental health and addictions clinical counsellor, cook, and night attendants.
We also have a medical doctor who visits Peak House once a week.
Peak House staff are here to support you throughout your stay and to help you to
reach your goals. Our commitment to you is a safe, friendly, caring, non-judgmental
and supportive environment. In addition to supporting you in your work, we will also
do our best to ensure you have some fun while you’re here!
GETTING READY TO COME TO PEAK HOUSE
In order to fully participate in our program, you will need to have time free from
using before you arrive. We recognize how difficult this can be…
Talk to your alcohol and drug counsellor about whether or not you may need to go to
a detox facility before coming to our program. We ask that you have 7 days free
from using when you come in for your intake meeting.
Keep meeting with your alcohol and drug counsellor. This will help you be more
prepared to enter the program.
√ DO Bring:
See the attached list, which is a detailed listing of what you will need. Please
ensure that your clothing is comfortable and appropriate.
• Schoolwork, if you are currently in school.
• If you smoke, please ensure you have enough cigarettes for two
months as staff or other youth are not allowed to purchase
cigarettes for you.
• If you are from out of town, please bring a long distance calling card
so that you can call home.
• If you are taking medication of any kind please discuss this with the
intake and assessment counsellor prior to coming to Peak House.
• Please bring two bath towels, one swim towel, and your own pillow (we
have pillow cases).
• Peak House supplies linens
• Peak House supplies all materials necessary for program i.e. binders, paper,
art supplies.
∅ DON’T Bring:
• Clothing that shows your stomach or is low-cut.
• Muscle shirts.
• Clothing that promotes alcohol or drug culture, clothing with logos
that promote disrespect to any gender, race, or culture, religion or
is sexually explicit.
• Posters that promote drugs or alcohol or disrespect to any gender,
race or culture.
• Books & Magazines (we have a library of reading material).
• Music that is disrespectful of others – racist, sexist, homophobic,
violent or promotes drugs or alcohol.
• Cell phones, video or audio recording devices, laptops, cameras or
anything with internet capability.
• Bank Cards.
• Skate Boards or other sports equipment.
• Video games.
If you are not sure about the appropriateness of an item please ask the
intake and assessment counsellor for clarification.
Items brought to Peak House that are not appropriate will either be sent home
with parents/caregivers or held in safekeeping by staff until you leave Peak
House.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS….
We will be calling you in the time leading up to your intake date and will be
available to answer any questions you have. Feel free to call us with any
question you might have. The Intake & Assessment Counsellor's card is in
the front of this folder.
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING ABOUT
Visitors – two members of your family may visit Wednesday evenings from 5:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. If you do not have family members available a support person(s)
approved by your Clinical Counsellor may visit. Your alcohol and drug counsellor may visit
you at times that do not disrupt the program schedule.
Phone Calls / Mail – at the intake meeting, you, your support person(s) and Clinical
Counsellor will make a contact list. You will not be allowed to make or receive calls from
any person who is not on the list. For the first month you are at Peak House you will not
be able to include friends on your contact list, nor will you be able to receive mail
from a person who is not on the list (you will be able to send letters out). After
your first month at Peak that list will be reviewed with your Clinical Counsellor and you
may be able to add new supportive people.
Passes – Passes are determined on an individual basis depending on the therapeutic
benefit of a pass. If you are from outside of Vancouver,this may be for a period of
three to five days (you and your Clinical Counsellor will decide what’s best for you). You
will prepare a detailed pass plan with youth counsellors and your clinical cousellor which
will be approved by the Peak House team before you leave on your pass. The purpose of
your home pass is to begin reconnecting with your community supports, and also to
discover what is working for you, what’s not working, and what you need to do in
those areas that didn’t work.
Laundry – Peak House has laundry facilities and supplies. You will be given two
specific days a week to do your own laundry.
Smoking – There are scheduled smoke breaks throughout the day. You will not be
able to smoke whenever you want. You must supply your own cigarettes. All
cigarettes are kept in the team office. Lending or borrowing cigarettes is
prohibited. There is a designated smoking area outdoors in compliance with the
city of Vancouver by-laws.
Meals – Our cook is there to provide delicious, nutritious lunches and dinners
Monday to Friday. Weekends provide an opportunity for staff and residents to
share and prepare their favorite recipes. Breakfast is casual. You can fix yourself
some cereal, toast, eggs, or fruit. Any special dietary needs or allergies must be
made known to Peak House prior to intake.
Your Room – Your room will have a single bed, desk and lamp. Each room has a large
corkboard on the wall that you can use for your pictures. We ask that you do not
put anything on any other part of the walls. It is your responsibility to make sure
that your bed is made and that your room and your shared bathroom is tidy at all
times. Your room is your private space – neither other residents nor guests are
allowed in your room. Six rooms are single, one is a double room with en-suite
bathroom.
Wake-up and Bedtime – During the week wake-up time is 7:30 a.m. – bedtime is
10:30 p.m. On weekends you can sleep-in till 9:30 a.m. and bedtime is 11:50 p.m.
If You Decide to Leave - you may have a good reason for not wanting to continue
the Peak House program; you may be very homesick, it may not be the right
program for you, or it may not be the right time for you to be here. We would
respect your decision to leave and would ask that you respect our obligation to
ensure that you leave in a safe manner and arrive home safe and sound. This means
you need to let staff know of your decision to leave and allow us to help you with
your departure plan. If you depart in a safe way you will be welcome to re-apply to
Peak House if you so chose.
If We Ask You to Leave -There are very few reasons that a youth would be asked
to leave our program, those reasons are:
1. Disregard and/or intolerance for the rights and differences of
others, e.g. racism, sexism, homophobia, economic status.
2. Violence – physical or verbal.
3. Possession and/or use of drugs/alcohol inside or outside of the
facility.
4. An inability to guarantee one’s personal safety.
5. Sexual or romantic relationship with another person in the program.
Relationships
Because Peak House is a group program, it is important for all group
members to feel welcome and included. We ask that you avoid what we call
‘sub-grouping’ hanging out with certain people and not others. Intimate
relationships make it hard to live as a group so we ask you do not engage or
act on any attractions you might have.
If you are asked to leave the program you may be able to return at a later date. All
re-admission requests need to go through our Intake & Assessment Counsellor.
TEN WEEKS AT PEAK HOUSE…
INTAKE DAY
Your clinical counsellor, intake & assessment counsellor or a youth counsellor will
meet with you and your parents/guardian or other support people who have
come with you, to review important information. A young person from the
program may join the meeting to explain the guidelines, talk about what it
was like for them in their first few days at Peak House and answer any
questions you may have.
You, your parents/guardian or support person, and the clinical counsellor will
complete your contact list and necessary paperwork.
The intake meeting will take approximately 1 ½ hours, after which time your
parents/caregivers will leave and you can start to get settled into the
program.
A youth counsellor will go through your belongings with you and make a list of
all your items to make sure you leave with everything that you brought and
ensure that the items you brought are appropriate.
If you have items that are not allowed (inappropriate clothing, cash, cell
phones, bank cards, etc.) they will be returned to your caregiver or kept in
the office for safekeeping.
The First Two Weeks: Assessment/Orientation and Welcome
The first part is a 2-week Assessment Phase…
You will work with the Assessment Counsellor, your Clinical Counsellor and the
Youth Counsellors to get settled in. The first 2 weeks is a time for you and us to
figure out if Peak House is the right program for you.
At Peak House, we are interested in supporting you to focus on the changes you
want to make and how we can support you to move in the direction you want to go.
During the first 2 weeks you will work on your orientation work. This will help you
identify what you want to bring into your life and the areas you want to focus on
during your stay.
If you and our staff team decide that you will enter the treatment phase of the
program you will present your completed orientation to the group. This is the point
when we acknowledge your commitment to your work at Peak House with a
welcoming ceremony.
Welcoming Ceremony
This ceremony honours the courage it took for you to get to Peak House and your
commitment to goals you will work on while here. It is a chance to hear about what
the group has noticed in you – the changes you’ve made and the qualities that people
appreciate about you. You will choose a special welcoming stone and everyone will
share their hopes for your success.
Between Orientation and Commencement
You will be setting daily and weekly goals, tracking your accomplishments, having
individual sessions with your clinical counsellor, and participating in the group work and
activities.
Aftercare Planning
During the last two to three weeks of your stay you will work on your aftercare plan,
strategies to keep yourself safe and to make sure that your community supports
are solid.
Commencement
Congratulations! You will have worked very hard to get to this very important day,
your last day in the program. We call it commencement because it is the beginning
of your life outside of Peak House.
INTERESTING PEAK HOUSE FACTS
• Our program has been running for over 22 years.
• In 2009 we won an award for Excellence in Addictions
• Young people in our program have told us that they find Peak House to
feel “very safe” and “fun”.
• Sometimes we have pets visit us (if no one objects or is allergic).
• Our cook makes amazing meals for us during the week- she’s probably
the most famous staff member here.
• We have a ping-pong table, guitars, karaoke machine, a foosball table and a
basketball hoop at the house.
• We believe that young people here are the experts of their lives and
we highly respect the wisdom and knowledge that all youth bring to
our program.
• One of our staff, Laila (a talented artist) will draw you a portrait of
yourself near the end of your stay, if you wish. Copies of these
portraits are often included on people’s Commencement collages.
• The living room ceiling is covered with collages made by youth who
have finished the program.
call our Intake & Assessment Counsellor
604-253-6319
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| YOUTH INFORMATION GUIDE _2012.pdf | 3.31 MB |