AARC | Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre

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A Message to Our Donors March 27th, 2010

Here at the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, we see miracles happen everyday. When a young person walks through the doors of AARC, they are often desperate, defeated, and completely hopeless. Lives have been destroyed and families have been torn apart. But at AARC, we know what that's like. Many of us have been in the grips of addiction ourselves, and have overcome the ravages that it caused.

We believe in this program, because we've seen it work - over and over again. We believe in all the individuals who come into this program, because we know that deep down within them lies the courage to change. We believe in the families that stand behind those individuals, because they too have repeatedly shown strength and bravery while overcoming numerous difficulties. But most of all, we believe in miracles, because we know where we'd be without the love and support of AARC and its entire staff.

Thank you for believing in miracles too!

Videos & Other Media

Experts in Addiction Running time 2 min, 21 sec Lori Hogg M.Sc., MD, FRCP (C) Consulting Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Raju Hajela CD, MD, MPH, CCFP, CASAM, CCSAM, CISAM, FASAM, FCFP Addiction Medicine and Chronic Pain

Click to watch a video interviewing two experts on addiction and how this disease effects a young person's brain.

From Darkness to Light Running time 8 min, 10 sec Ranjene Mazumdar AARC Graduate 10 Years Sober

Click to watch the video detailing Ranjene's personal journey through drug addiction and the drug treatment system.

Yes	No
		1. Do you find their explanations for irresponsible behaviour or decreasing performance to be unbelievable or implausible
		2. Are they frequently dishonest?
		3. Has their personality changed (i.e., are there inappropriate mood swings, hostility, giddiness or irritability?)
		4. Has anyone expressed concern about their alcohol/drug use?
		5. Are they less responsible re chores, schoolwork or being on time?
		6. Have you found obvious signs of drug/alcohol use such as bottles, drugs, or paraphernalia?
		7. Have they lied about their use of alcohol or drugs?
		8. Have their grades dropped or is there decreased interest in school activities?
		9. Do they have unexplained periods of depression, anxiety or difficulty with sleep?
		10. Have they become withdrawn and uncommunicative?
		11. Do they spend a lot of time alone?
		12. Do they show a lack of motivation or an apathetic attitude?
		13. Have you noticed alcohol or pills missing from your home?
		14. Are you missing money, credit cards or valuables that could be converted into cash?
		15. Do they seem to have difficulty remembering things?
		16. Is there a change in their personal hygiene, dress habits or sleeping and eating habits?
		17. Do you ever notice physical indicators of drug/alcohol abuse (i.e., red eyes, dilated pupils, and slurred speech)?
		18. Have you observed irrational or explosive behaviour?
		19. Are they increasingly secretive about their whereabouts?
		20. Are there signs of medical or emotional problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, ulcers, or gastritis?
		21. Is there evidence they are involved with the occult?
		22. Has their peer group changed to include friends that are involved in drinking, using drugs and partying?
		23. Do they become belligerent, angry or defensive when others express concern about their drug use?
		24. Are they irresponsible drivers?
If you have answered "yes" to four of these questions, it indicates that your child is exhibiting significant emotional or behavioural problems that may be related to substance abuse.
If you have answered "yes" to five of these questions, it indicates that your child probably has a significant emotional or behavioural and/or alcohol/drug problem.
If you have answered "yes" to six or more of these questions, it indicates that your child should abstain from all mood-altering chemicals. A professional assessment is suggested in order to determine the extent of the problem.

Yes	No
		1. Is your number one activity partying?
		2. Do you feel you are a normal drinker/drug user?
		3. Have you gotten in trouble because of your drinking/drug use?
		4. Have you ever had a loss of memory, said or done things you can't remember, while using drugs/alcohol?
		5. Have you had arguments with your family over your drinking/drug use?
		6. Do you need alcohol/drugs at parties to have fun?
		7. During the day, do you often think about the next time that you can drink or get high?
		8. Have you ever had a craving or very strong desire for alcohol or drugs?
		9. Do you need more alcohol/drugs now to get a good high than when you were younger?
		10. Have you ever felt that you could not control your alcohol or drug use?
		11. Do your moods change rapidly when you use drugs/alcohol (e.g., very happy to very sad)?
		12. Is the main reason you use alcohol/drugs to get drunk/high?
		13. Have you ever gotten into trouble with friends because of your alcohol or drug use?
		14. Do you like to play drinking games when you go to parties?
		15. Have you ever been asked to go for help because of your alcohol/drug use?
		16. Have you ever experienced any withdrawal symptoms following use of alcohol or drugs (e.g., headache, nausea, vomiting, shaking)?
		17. Do your parents or siblings have trouble with alcohol and drugs (e.g. over-user)?
		18. Have you ever had trouble with the law because of alcohol and drugs?
		19. Do you seem to fight or argue more than most kids?
		20. When people ask you about your alcohol/drug use, do you feel angry, guilty, or anxious?
		21. Have your grades dropped substantially since the start of Junior High?
		22. Have you ever skipped school to use alcohol or drugs?
		23. Have you ever been suspended from school for alcohol or drug use?
		24. Have you ever felt that you were hooked on alcohol and drugs?
		25. Have you ever lied about the amount of alcohol and drugs that you use?
If you have answered "Yes" to three of these questions, it indicates that you are at high risk for the development of the disease of chemical dependencies.
If you have answered "Yes" to four of these questions, it indicates that you have a problem with substance abuse. See if you can stop using any mood-altering drugs for 90 days. If you have difficulty with this, you may already be chemically dependent.
If you have answered "Yes" to five or more of these questions, it indicates that you have many of the critical symptoms of chemical dependency. You need to completely abstain from all mood-altering drugs.