Teen Services

For Teens

Why teens need a special focus

Peer Pressure

Teens are more likely than adults to act out of emotion, and anxiety—the emotion of peer pressure—is powerful. 

Mental Health

Research suggests that adolescents with substance use disorders also have high rates of co-occurring mental illness.

Developing Brain

The parts of the adolescent brain responsible for impulse control and decision-making are not yet fully developed.

How can you help my teen?

The Courage Center is a non-profit Recovery Community Organization that offers no-cost, peer-based recovery support services to teens ages 14-18, young adults ages 19-26, and families. Our goal is to help youth and families develop a life of recovery from substance misuse or substance use disorder. 


The Courage Center offers the Midlands only Alternative Peer Group, an evidence-based, family-centered recovery model. Our program increases the internal and external resources (“recovery capital”) youth and families need to start and maintain recovery. Our program offerings include:


  • Recovery coaching delivered by certified peer support specialists
  • Family and peer support groups
  • Substance-free social events
  • Life skills training
  • Counseling with a licensed professional


Peer-based support provides youth with practical guidance from trained specialists who are in long-term recovery. For youth engaged in peer recovery support, studies have found reduced rates of return to use.

Within 48 hours after you contact The Courage Center, or we receive a referral from a entity such as the Department of Juvenile Justice, a representative from The Courage Center will reach out to you to answer your questions, and possibly schedule an intake meeting for you and your loved one.


The Courage Center holds weekly All Recovery Meetings for adolescents age 14-18. These meetings aim to provide adolescents with new experiences and opportunity to share positive values. Coaches help young people avoid negative behaviors and achieve success. Email trish@couragecentersc.org for details about attending a meeting.

What kind of life skills classes do you offer?

In addition to peer-led recovery support services, The Courage Center offers an evidence-based curriculum for teens and young adults designed to strengthen personal self-management skills, general social skills, and drug resistance skills. Teens and young adult participants generally participate in the same sessions. A typical curriculum looks like this:

  • General Overview and Addiction Facts
  • Distorted Thinking and Goal Setting
  • Core Beliefs and Communication
  • Self Care, Coping, and Triggers

DRUG RESISTANCE SKILLS

Education enables participants to recognize and challenge their misconceptions about alcohol and drugs. Through coaching and practice, young people learn practical skills for dealing with peers and media pressure to engage in drug and alcohol use. 


SELF-MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Education teaches personal self-management skills so that participants can begin to view personal challenges in a positive light. They can learn how to examine their self-image and its effects on behavior; set goals and keep track of progress; identify everyday decisions and how they may be influenced by others; and analyze problematic situations and consider the consequences of each solution before making decisions.


GENERAL SOCIAL SKILLS

Education covers general social skills so that participants can develop the necessary strategies to communicate effectively. This enables them to learn to avoid misunderstandings, initiate and carry on conversations, make or refuse requests in an appropriate manner, and recognize that they have choices other than aggression or passivity when faced with tough situations. 


Research shows that students who develop skills in these areas are far less likely to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors.

Substance-Free Social Events:

Part of the Recovery Process

A person in early recovery is often faced with the need to say goodbye to friends and social networks that don't support their recovery journey. However, they often then have nothing to put in their place. Substance-free social events can help our participants make new friends and begin to build new social networks. Participants begin to see that fun does not depend on substance use. These drug-free and alcohol-free activities also provide a sense of acceptance and belonging to a group, as well as the opportunity to practice new social skills. The Courage Center offers social events like group movie nights, arts and crafts activities, skating nights, and visits to local attractions.

Our Family Story

"These are kids ... They get into things and they can't get out. There is help out there."

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"My experience at The Courage Center was a great experience. They don't judge you for the things you've done, and they actually listen and care. All of the people there are great, they're friendly, kind, and understanding. My therapist talked to me a lot about what I wanna do with my life and the importance of not wasting my time. Because there are a lot of people in this world that don't get the opportunity to do that. ... I feel like The Courage Center is a great place for people who have lost their way or haven't found their way yet. They gave me a lot of great advice and guidance."


- Teen Participant

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