AARC: Outpatient recovery center to support youth battling substance use disorder

Click here to read an in-depth article on the launch of this unique and essential clinic to support our youth.

The Children’s Foundation, the states leading funder focused solely on children and adolescents, and University Pediatricians, a southeast Michigan based physician practice plan committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate patient care across the entire continuum of clinical services, have announced the opening of a new outpatient adolescent recovery resource in Troy, Mich.

The Adolescent Addiction Recovery Center (AARC), at Children’s Hospital of Michigan Troy is a new, comprehensive, outpatient-based addiction clinic for adolescents struggling with significant substance use and mental health challenges. AARC will specialize in treating severe cases of substance use disorder and dangerous substance use including opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioids), benzodiazepines, alcohol, etc.  The AARC is currently scheduling intakes for those under 18 years old.

Addiction is a disease that often develops during vulnerable teen years. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Association’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.2 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 drank alcohol in the past month, and 13.8 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 used illicit drugs in the past year. Furthermore, those with a substance use disorder also struggle with other mental health disorders and need therapy to treat conditions simultaneously.

“Addiction is much more than the drug itself and the impact it has on the person, it’s also the family it affects,” stated LaCasse. “The Adolescent Addiction Recovery Center will help fill a local resource gap for youth in need.”

Dr. Matt LaCasse, child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in addiction, will serve as director of the AARC.  In addition to this role, Dr. LaCasse also serves as the lead psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. There will be two therapists on staff at AARC that are trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, among others.

The AARC is operated by University Pediatricians and funded entirely by philanthropy facilitated by The Children’s Foundation.  Lead donors enabling the center to open include the Jamie Daniels Foundation, the Georgie Ginopolis Endowed fund and supporters of The Foundation’s Derby for Kids event.

“Mental health is a key focus area for The Children’s Foundation and for all involved, it is a major step toward providing necessary care where there is a significant gap,” stated Lawrence J. Burns, president and chief executive officer of The Children’s Foundation. “This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors who helped launch the center. We are grateful for those dedicated to the heath and wellness of our youth.”

For more information or to make an appointment, call 248-377-8717.