Hazelden Partners with Inflexxion to Develop New Program for Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment

New intervention program aims to lower risk of relapse during early recovery

CENTER CITY, Minn., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hazelden, one of the world's largest and most respected alcohol and drug addiction treatment organizations has partnered with Inflexxion, the creator of the online behavioral health assessment program Comprehensive Health Assessment for Teens (CHAT®) to develop an online resource for adolescents receiving treatment for substance abuse.

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With funding from a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) grant, "Staying Off Substances: A Tailored Early Recovery Program for Teens," Hazelden and Inflexxion are creating this new intervention program for adolescents in substance abuse treatment that will reinforce the skills and philosophies they learn in treatment through online interactive exercises, writing activities, and access to a supportive, online community. The program will be available to adolescents during and after treatment to help them navigate challenges during early recovery.

"Youth today are adopting technology at a record rate. In partnering with Inflexxion to develop this innovative online program, we intend to meet adolescents struggling with addiction where they are, engaging them in effective recovery support through interactive tools and social networking," says Nick Motu, publisher and vice president of Marketing and Communications at Hazelden.

"Adolescents in substance abuse treatment have a 75% chance of relapsing within one year of receiving treatment," says Emil Chiauzzi, vice president of Research and Innovation at Inflexxion. "We're proud to be working with Hazelden and hope the program has a significant impact on getting adolescents through the challenges of recovery and on the path to a healthy, abuse-free life. Inflexxion's history of developing technology based programs for substance abuse treatment combined with Hazelden's expertise on addiction and recovery issues gives us the ability to share our knowledge and resources to develop a powerful recovery tool."

The new program will include an administrative portal for counselors to facilitate their clients' use of the program. Counselors will be able to assign skill-building activities for clients from a list of recommended activities automatically generated by the program and will be able to view individual client's use of the program and generate reports that summarize client use of program features.

About Hazelden

Hazelden, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. Built on decades of knowledge and experience, Hazelden offers a comprehensive approach to addiction that addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher education, public education and advocacy, and publishing. It has facilities in Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York and Florida.

Hazelden is committed to working with young people struggling with addiction and closely related issues, offering evidence-based resources and services for students in elementary school through college and into young adulthood. This year, Hazelden opened Tribeca Twelve, an alcohol and drug-free housing complex in New York City for college students in recovery and acquired MyStudentBody, the most comprehensive online alcohol and drug education program for college students. It has also begun an expansion at Hazelden Plymouth, the premier addiction treatment facility for youth.

About Inflexxion

Inflexxion develops scientifically-based, interactive technologies that help people improve their lives through behavioral change. Partners and customers rely on Inflexxion for online programs that reduce health-related risks, enhance clinical outcomes, and positively influence quality of care. Inflexxion has received over $55 million in grant support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), and has developed over 50 assessment, intervention and prevention programs in its behavioral health, risk management, college health, and consumer health divisions. Inflexxion was founded in 1989 and is located in Newton, MA.

SOURCE Hazelden Foundation