1. Question

- "What is the CASTLE?"

Answer

- CASTLE is a program committed to the prevention, treatment, and abstinence of drug and alcohol use in adolescents.


2. Question

- "How old are the kids in the program?"

Answer

- Adolescents are 13 to 17-years-old.


3. Question

- "What insurance does CASTLE accept?"

Answer

- We accept most insurances, as well as MassHealth.


4. Question

- "How does one contact CASTLE?"

Answer

- Call 508-638-6000


5. Question

- "Where is CASTLE located? "

Answer

- We are located in Brockton, just behind Campello train station at 20 Meadowbrook Road.


6. Question

- "Can an adolescent also have a psychiatric condition and still get into CASTLE?"

Answer

- Adolescents can have both an addiction and a psychiatric condition but must have a substance abuse issue to be eligible for treatment.


7. Question

- "How long do kids stay at CASTLE?"

Answer

- The length of stay depends upon the adolescent's clinical needs.


8. Question

- "Do kids sleep there?"

Answer

- Yes.


9. Question

- "What is CASTLE's treatment approach?"

Answer

- Our programming merges traditional methods of substance abuse treatment with an appreciation of an individual's home environment, social environment, self-concept, and biology.


10. Question

- "What is a parent or guardian's involvement?"

Answer

- There is a strong family component to treatment at CASTLE. Parents and guardians meet with a clinician assigned to their child, and talk with the Medical Director during various points of treatment.


11. Question

- "Will my child be placed on medication?"

Answer

- Every child is seen by the Medical Director, and, working with the parents/guardians and patient, a determination is made if medication is appropriate. Each treatment is tailored to the individual.


12. Question

- "What kind of programming is there?"

Answer

- Teenagers have a rigorous daily schedule, including creating and meeting daily goals, having classroom time with specialized teachers, and attending groups like "Motivation to Change," "Stinkin' Thinkin," "Triggers," "Relapse Prevention," and "Art & Music Therapy."


13. Question

- "What happens in the evenings?"

Answer

- Groups continue throughout the day and evening. Our evening "commitments" involve young people who visit CASTLE while in their own treatment in recovery to help inspire our patients to maintain their goals of being clean and sober.


14. Question

- "What if an adolescent needs to be detoxed?"

Answer

- CASTLE is fully equipped to manage all types of detoxification and withdrawal, including Suboxone© for opioid withdrawal.


15. Question

- "How is CASTLE staffed?"

Answer

- We have 24-hour staffing, including round the clock nursing and recovery specialists. CASTLE also has a full-time Medical Director who is a Board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist; pediatricians who are available five days a week, Masters' level clinicians, and other staff. In addition, a driver can assist in getting adolescents to various appointments, as well as helping parents/guardians get to CASTLE for family meetings.


16. Question

- "How many patients can CASTLE treat at one time?"

Answer

- CASTLE houses 24 beds.


17. Question

- "Is CASTLE part of another organization?"

Answer

- CASTLE is a program of High Point Treatment Center.


18. Question

- "How do kids keep up with their schoolwork?"

Answer

- We have contracted with Education Inc., which provides specialized teachers five days a week. Patients engage in two hours of schoolwork a day, provided by their respective school system. Our teachers take care of the coordination, so kids do not return to school further behind in their academics.


19. Question

- "Where does AA or NA fit into CASTLE? "

Answer

- The spiritual and social support approach of traditional recovery techniques like AA or NA is woven into the fabric of CASTLE, but coupled with a deeper understanding of the adolescent brain. Teenagers learn about how their brains are developing, and why the teenage brain is especially vulnerable to addictions. They learn about the emotional centers of the brain, as well as the parts of their brains devoted to decision-making, and how these are differentially mature in adolescents, with the 'feeling' part more likely to win every time! They learn why they may do something based on an emotion, and then later wonder, "Why the heck did I do that?"


20. Question

- "What happens when an adolescent leaves CASTLE at the end of the program?"

Answer

- Ongoing care is tailored to the needs of the patient. Working with the clinical team and parents, some patients go home and have outpatient appointments, while some may need to go to longer term care. CASTLE staff, the patient, and parents/guardians determine the next step in recovery.


21. Question

- "What if my kid needs help but refuses to go to CASTLE or anywhere for treatment?"

Answer

- In some cases, a judge may decide a person needs substance abuse treatment and will court order a Section 35. This mandates substance abuse treatment in a setting like CASTLE.


22. Question

- "How does one obtain a Section 35?"

Answer

- You can call your local court and ask how to proceed with a Section 35 for your child.