The Portage Program for Adolescents in Ontario
Portage Ontario provides a long-term residential drug addiction rehabilitation program for adolescents aged 14 years or more. It was established in 1985 in Elora, near Guelph and was the first treatment centre of its kind in the country. Located outside the city on a 55-acre property, the rural setting is therapeutic in itself.
Do you think that you or someone you know may need drug addiction rehabilitation therapy?
Portage has helped thousands of people to overcome drug addiction and go on to lead healthy, productive, drug-free lives.
We can help you.
At Portage, respect is the basis of all interventions. Portage offers a psychologically and physically safe residential program based on individual case management, in a positive peer culture environment. While at Portage, residents develop a sense of belonging and learn how to trust themselves and each other. By sharing the difficulties and challenges in their lives with their peers and their caseworkers, they cultivate self-awareness, self-confidence and self-respect. Portage provides
competency-based therapy through accredited treatment techniques in the context of gender-specific programs (therapy groups are separated by gender). Residents live in an enriching and structured environment, run by qualified staff members. They participate in daily group therapy sessions and regular socio-cultural and recreational programs.
The Portage Residential Rehabilitation Program for Adolescents is based on:
- Voluntary admission
- The therapeutic community model
- Psychological and physical safety
- Individual case management with the individual setting priorities
- Family support
- Aftercare services
What will you do during your stay?
A typical day at Portage includes:
- Guidance and vocational planning
What can you expect to get out of your stay?
- Self-confidence
- Self-respect
- Self-discovery
- Balance
- Competencies with which to face the future
- A sober lifestyle
Read the Portage Resident’s Creed.
Portage’s Adolescent Rehabilitation Program in Ontario – Quick Facts
Family Services
Services for residents’ families are an essential element of Portage's treatment program. Provided through group and individual meetings, they help parents understand and manage the issues created by a drug-dependent family member.
In Ontario, monthly parent meetings are held at the centre on the last Saturday of every month. A social worker works with the parents to teach them strategies to employ during their child’s therapy. They are given the tools to be able to help their child when he/she comes home for social reintegration visits and after the residential phase of the program is complete. During these monthly meetings, residents prepare lunch for their parents and the families spend the afternoon together on the site.
Social Reintegration Programs and Aftercare Services
Reintegrating back into mainstream society is a special concern in the Portage process, as the residents’ new values, behaviours and attitudes are put to the test in the outside environment. The Portage program prepares them for the challenge, giving them the tools to be able to withstand negative influences as well as to cope with the stresses of mainstream living. With its
Social Reintegration and Aftercare Programs, Portage accompanies former residents with support groups and individual meeting.
Contact us to learn more about the Portage Program for Adolescents in Ontario.
