Vista Hill Programs

Supporting Adolescents & Families in Recovery (SAFIR) is a chemical dependency recovery-based program of Vista Hill. In a safe and supportive group environment, professional staff and trained facilitators present educational concepts in recovery and substance abuse to young adults in various stages of recovery. Newcomers, inpatient after-care participants, and existing participants with known long-term sobriety, share experiences, strengths, hope and recovery methods.

SAFIR is a "family participation" model and requires a minimum of one responsible adult to attend group sessions with the adolescent. Our approach to recovery brings the entire family together since the addiction problem touches everyone in the household.

Former Vista Hill Client Grateful for Help That Turned His Life Around

“There's no doubt in my mind that I would be dead by now without Vista Hill. They gave me the tools and the strength I needed to save my life.” Looking at 27-year-old Jeremy today, it's hard to believe this confident and optimistic young man, who manages the Blockbuster Video store in City Heights , could ever have reached the bottom he found himself at in the mid-1990s. Click here to learn more about Jeremy.

"I never saw it coming," said Kate. "My son David is 15 years old and always did well in school. He played sports and was always very involved in his school. He seemed happy and a typical teen having what I thought were growing pains," Kate related.

"Then changes began to appear. He became moody and verbally abusive, or silent and withdrawn. He'd either lock himself in his room or walk around like a zombie. He went out and returned home whenever he felt like it. He told me he was no more hostile, mean or irritable than anyone else in the family."

If you think living with a teen like David is tough - imagine what it would be like living without him. Most parents are completely shocked to find out that their son or daughter is using drugs. Substance abusing behavior and typical teen behavior is not that different, so it's important not to be too quick to accuse or overreact. By educating yourself and paying close attention to everyday occurrences, you will be able to recognize what the danger signs are.

slurred speech
slow or unresponsive reactions or very talkative
loss of motor skills
sudden weight loss or gain
pupil dilation or red eyes; Visine or eye drops in the home
sweating, increased perspiration odor or bad acne
significant changes in sleep habits
insomnia or hyperactivity

personality changes
withdrawal
unexplained mood swings
anger, hostility
lying
depression
argumentative

lack of regard for rules
loss of interest in school activities
drop in grades
loss of old friends
alcohol and medications missing from the house
aggressive, abusive or inappropriate behaviors
locking self in room, avoiding family

Substance abuse problems have a tremendous impact on an adolescent's academic, social and psychological development. If you suspect that your son or daughter has a problem your fears are probably correct. It is first critical to stop the denial. Talk to him/her about your suspicions. Ask your physician to order a drug screen for confirmation. The most difficult task for parents is to recognize and accept the problem and to not judge their child. Time is wasted when we stay fixed on the problem. Learn as much as you can about the illness and call us to register for the SAFIR support program.

Asking for help is a new beginning. It doesn't mean failure. One family benefitting from SAFIR begins a chain reaction with other families and other communities.