State Licensed
and Certified
The Sober Academy College Program
National Therapeutic Services is proud to offer one of the most innovative and effective treatment modalities in the addiction treatment industry: NTS Sober Academy (NTSA) College Program. The program combines college classes with addiction treatment and is specifically designed for the young adult desiring to start, continue or re-enter the collegiate environment.
The NTS The Sober Academy College Program at NTS was designed by Paul Alexander, widely considered to be a leading expert in the field of addiction treatment coupled with higher learning and education. With over ten years of experience, this is his third collegiate program created in Orange County. Mr. Alexander's previous programs include the TEACH Program at Sober Living by The Sea and the Morningside Academic Institute at Morningside Recovery.
The addiction treatment coupled with higher education modality was created in 1998 with the development of the first college program within a treatment facility. At the time, the treatment community balked at the idea of putting young adults in college classes while receiving addiction treatment, yet the model proved to be more successful than the traditional "treatment only" modality. The success of this unique treatment model is due to its practical application of Motivational Enhancement Therapy and an educational counseling approach.
Paul Alexander has run numerous education based treatment programs and conducted research at the University of California Irvine on the success of "College Coupled with Addiction Treatment" modality.
How The Sober Academy College Program Works
STEP 1. Clients who are either currently in addiction treatment at NTS or at another primary facility are interviewed or assessed for academic readiness and experience.
STEP 2. If the client is found to be ready to enter college, he or she is then registered for the next available semester at one of the many colleges in the Orange County, depending on the client's academic needs. Colleges we have used in the past are: Saddleback College, Orange Coast College, University of California Irvine, Chapman University, The Art Institute, FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising), and Irvine Valley College.
STEP 3. The client's treatment schedule is then arranged to fit with other NTSA client's college schedules to include tutoring sessions, group study times, special groups and lectures on success in academics, life skills workshops, and academic planning sessions. THE CLIENT DOES NOT SACRIFICE ANY ADDICITON TREATMENT BY ENTERING THE COLLEGE PROGRAM, in fact the person in the NTSA program often receives more addiction treatment than people in the regular drug and alcohol rehab program at NTS.
STEP 4. We purchase the client's books, pay their tuition, and get their school supplies prior to the first day of classes.
STEP 5. We conduct an orientation with all the new school clients where we give them their new schedules, books and supplies, go over rules and expectations, and assign them their academic case manager.
STEP 6. We drive clients to and from classes. We do our best to place clients in classes together, provided their academic paths are similar to each other, so that they can help each other through the academic semester.
STEP 7. Throughout the academic semester each client's academic progress is monitored and addiction treatment continues. At the end of the semester, there is a graduation ceremony for all the NTSA clients and their families.
How Many Classes Can The Client Take?
Because clients in the NTSA program continue to participate in full addiction treatment, it is usually not suggested that clients take more than three classes per semester.
How Long Do Clients Stay In The NTS Academy (NTSA)?
Some clients stay for one semester to gain firm academic footing before leaving treatment, while others participate in the program for over one year. It depends on the needs and resources of the client.
Can Clients Enter the NTSA Program At Any Time?
Yes. There are many admission windows throughout the academic year. We usually suggest that clients enter the NTS Treatment Program at least two weeks prior to start of a new school session. Clients who enter the program prior to a school semester starting simply participate in the regular addiction treatment program at NTS until classes begin.
Is Financial Assistance Provided for The Sober Academy College Programs?
Yes. NTS is proud to provide financial assistance for its NTS sober college program: The Sober Academy. More information can be found at our financial assistance for drug treatment page: