Starlite Recovery - Adult Treatment Program

A Day in the Life at Starlite Recovery Center

Adolescents in Starlite’s residential drug treatment program wake up at 7:45 a.m. to stunning views of the Texas hill countryside and the occasional family of white-tailed deer gathered outside. The enticing smell of breakfast lures patients to the Starlite café, a restaurant-like dining area where all of our dietician-approved meals are served.

Shortly after breakfast, teens embark on a full day of process groups, lectures, 12-Step meetings and other recovery-related activities. In the afternoons, adolescents attend classes at the local school district where they are able to catch up on credits and even get ahead for the next school year.

In between therapy sessions and meetings, teens have time to meditate or enjoy a few minutes of personal time on our lush 52-acre property. In the evenings and on weekends, our activities director coordinates structured recreational time, when teens can take advantage of our full gym, swim, play sports and engage in other activities that show patients how much fun they can have sober.

Each day ends with a gratitude group, where teens take note of all that they have to be grateful for, and time for quiet reflection in their rooms. Curfew is at 11 p.m.

Sample Weekly Schedule for Adolescents at Starlite Recovery Center

ADOLESCENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE

• One hour of individual counseling per week.
• Outside activities are contingent on rule compliance. 

Core Therapy Groups

Community
Every morning, the Starlite patient community meets to share their thoughts and 12-Step readings for the day. Then the counselors join the group to address any business for the day and graduate patients who are completing treatment.

Education
Educational lectures focus on teaching patients about the disease of addiction, thinking errors, dual diagnosis and other issues related to chemical dependency.

Process Group
Process group is a group therapy session that includes a counselor and their patients (usually a group of 8-10 individuals). In this setting, patients are able to address more personalized issues and receive feedback from their counselor and peers.

Big Book
An individual with many years in recovery teaches patients at Starlite how to work a 12-Step program and implement the 12 Steps in their daily lives. During treatment, patients focus on the first five Steps.

Relapse Prevention
This group helps patients identify the triggers that put them at risk for relapse and develop healthy coping skills to guard against a return to old patterns.

H&I (Hospitalizations and Institutions) Meeting
Individuals from the outside recovery community bring an Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous meeting to Starlite Recovery Center. These “practice” meetings prepare patients for the 12-Step meetings they’ll experience in the community after completing treatment at Starlite.

Gratitude
Each day winds down with time for quiet reflection and an opportunity for patients to share with the community what they are grateful for about the day. Ending the day this way helps patients focus on the present moment and maintain an attitude of gratitude for the small things in life.

Life Skills Group
The goal of this group is to fill in any knowledge gaps adolescents may have in the areas of cooking, cleaning, laundry, job interviews, resume-building, money management and other skills of daily living. Among other topics, the group also discusses relapse prevention, stress management, coping skills, anxiety, anger, self-esteem and communication.

Academics

School
Starlite offers an accredited academic program for our adolescent patients. Teens attend core classes, such as English, science, math, history and social studies, at the local school district as part of a “Credit Recovery Program.” In just 45 days, students who come to Starlite behind in school are able to catch up or even get ahead for the next school year. Many adolescents have been able to graduate while in treatment.

Activities

Recreational Activities
Our activities director, who is a licensed personal trainer, coordinates daily recreational activities and outings that are designed to enhance the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of our patients. Starlite Recovery Center offers a full gym with a weight room and cardio equipment, sand volleyball, a swimming pool, disc golf, putt-putt golf, and off-campus movie nights and other activities. On Saturday afternoons, patients participate in “fun in recovery,” which features sports, barbeques and other activities that demonstrate how much fun sobriety can be.

Optional Groups

Men’s/Women’s Groups
Single-gender groups allow men and women to address personal issues in a safe, comfortable environment. Common topics include relationships, boundaries, body image, trauma and other issues.

Spirituality Group
This optional Christian-focused group takes place twice a week during free time. Led by a local pastor and minister, patients explore their spiritual connection through meditation and prayer. Patients who wish to attend religious services may visit our chapel on Sunday mornings.

Family Dynamics Group
Every Thursday afternoon during Relapse Prevention Group patients who participated in Starlite’s family program the previous weekend may participate in Family Dynamics Group. This group addresses such topics as codependency, enabling, healthy boundaries, communication and aftercare planning.

Interpersonal Communication Skills Group
These groups address specific problems patients may face in verbal and non-verbal communication.

Theme Groups
Depending on the needs of the patient community, these groups may be prescribed by the treatment team to cover such issues as family dynamics, anger management, dual disorders, relationships and stress management techniques.