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Houston teens are getting free addiction recovery help from a seemingly unlikely source: the public school system. This is a great no cost option for families who may not be able to afford traditional rehab.
Houston’s Fortis Academy is one of the few public recovery high schools in the United States.
Free Addiction Recovery Programs for Houston Teens
Why are recovery high schools like Fortis so important? For one, it enrolls anywhere from 20 to 35 students from the Houston area each semester.
These are teens between 13 and 17 years of age who are currently recovering from substance addiction, a population too long unrecognized and underserved in the recovery community.
For many families, traditional inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment programs are financially out of reach. Recovery high schools like Fortis provide a free alternative to addiction treatment, helping teens recover without adding financial strain.
The goal is to help them get sober, complete high school and move on to build a healthy and happy future free of addiction.
Integrating Education and Recovery
Students are encouraged and supported at Fortis, which integrates traditional academic curricula with mental health care. Students engage in individual and group counseling and recovery education at no cost to families. This makes it an accessible alternative to paid drug and alcohol rehab programs for teens.
Fortis students praise the learning environment among peers who share similar experiences and understand the challenges and rewards of the recovery journey. They describe the school as a place where they can express themselves freely and be completely authentic.
The Harris County Department of Education runs that program and families are under no obligation to pay. Their district handles tuition and transportation fees, which typically come to a little more than $6,000. The education department also waived fees for the last two semesters and plans to continue doing so in the future.
These students live at home rather than residing on campus. The treatment is less intensive than in inpatient addiction treatment, but students do receive custom recovery plans for their individual needs and future goals.
The students have the necessary support to rebuild relationships affected by drug or alcohol use. One of the core tenets of the program is that the students make a sobriety pledge and illustrate a desire to recover.
A Nationwide Challenge
Though there are more recovery high schools in Texas per capita than the rest of the nation, the current need far outstrips states’ and school districts’ capacity to meet it. With teen addiction being a nationwide issue, the demand for treatment is high.
There were approximately 2,600 students in the Greater Houston communities reportedly seeking recovery assistance in 2024, speaking to the urgent need for more no-cost recovery schools like Fortis throughout Houston and across the US.
The focus is on not having to choose between an education and recovery. Nor do families have to worry about the financial burden of treatment. Through free recovery programs like Fortis, teens and families alike can break the thralls of addiction.
As treatment costs continue to rise, free recovery programs like Fortis help fill critical gaps for families who need support but cannot afford traditional rehab.
Find Free and Low Cost Rehab Options for Teens
If a young person in your life is struggling with addiction, help is available. Explore free and low cost rehab programs for teens in your area or call
800-914-7089
(
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today.
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