Men in Recovery Get an Education at Prescott House

Recovery from addiction is a time when our men are able to reflect on who they once were and who they will be following long-term sobriety. Men from all over the world have found Prescott House to be a positive environment to change and grow into productive members of society by furthering their education in recovery.

Through structured Group Therapy, individuals work with a Primary Therapist and other men to promote personal growth. By confronting their unhealthy behaviors together, these men establish a support system to combat this self-destruction.

Utilizing cognitive behavioral restructuring, Prescott House reintegrates men into pursuing a healthy passion in life.  Many of these men have used this time of reintegrating into the world by going back to school and continuing their education. Let’s look at the ways men are furthering their education at Prescott House during recovery.

Yavapai College

Just a quick 4-minute walk from Prescott House to Yavapai College allows for individuals to be more accountable and responsible to their schooling. With a wide variety of degrees and certificate programs, Yavapai College has something for everyone looking to learn.

NAU Extension

Providing a fully accredited degree away from its Flagstaff campus, NAU has an extension program right at Yavapai College. We are proud to announce that our Director of Admissions, Jim Coombs graduated from NAU utilizing this campus extension in 2018.

Prescott College

From undergraduate studies to Post-Bachelor Certification to Masters of Science programs, Prescott College has proven to advance individuals to successful career paths. Individuals can participate in the Cycling Club and it’s only a 6-minute bike ride from Prescott House to Prescott College.

10% of the Prescott College graduating class for the Fall Semester of 2018 came from Prescott House! Keep up the good work men.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Not just a school for Aviation, Embry-Riddle excels in Engineering, Science, and Technology. They provide many acclimation programs like First-Year (Orientation Guide), International (CIPS) and Transfer Student Integration.

Due to the commitment required for this program and distance to the campus, it is generally recommended that individuals attend Embry-Riddle during our After Care Program.

GED Programs

Substance abuse at an early age has a close connection to high school dropouts. The long-term effects of not achieving a high school diploma are obvious. Thirty-five percent of men from ages 25-54 without a high school diploma are also unemployed. This number has increased by twenty-five percent since the 1960s, according to The Economist, 2011 (source).

Those without a high school diploma can utilize our close proximity to Yavapai College to prepare for the GED Test. GED Prep classes at Yavapai College are free of charge and provide many scheduling options.

Setting Yourself Up For Success

Here are some tips to help you prepare for taking classes during and after addiction treatment. Always discuss with your therapist whether or not the time is right to take on the added responsibility of going back to school while in treatment.

Attending School During Recovery Tips

• Do you have your high school diploma or GED? If not, begin by taking GED prep classes, then take the GED test.
• Have you researched schools? Finding the right fit is important. Whether it’s based off location, curriculum, cost, etc. be sure to take these things into consideration before choosing.
• First-time student? Speak with an advisor to discuss your degree or certification path.
• Have you applied? Check what information is needed to prior to applying to make for a smoother process.
• Have prior credits? Request transcripts from your previous school(s) and check to see if you can apply them at the new college you are attending.
• Full-time or Part-time? The energy and excitement around attending school again can lead to an overload of classes. It may be best to start with a couple of courses (3-6 credit hours). This can help by keeping your main focus on recovery and not get overwhelmed with school work.
• Is Your Schedule Flexible? While in recovery groups, meetings and therapy sessions usually have set times. Be sure to schedule your classes so that they do not interfere with your program. If you have access to a computer, maybe online classes are a better fit.
• How do you intend to pay? Look into what financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available to help offset the cost of school.
• When/where can you study? Find a quiet place to complete homework and study and what times work best for you.
• Finished a semester? Way to go! Determine if you found the workload to be easy or difficult.
• Should you take more/fewer credit hours? Adjust the following semester schedule based on this decision.

As you can see there is a lot to consider when thinking about going back to school and getting an education while in recovery. Our program provides men the tools needed to succeed at school, work and life.

Again, speak with your therapist to discuss whether or not you are prepared to take on the added responsibility of school while in recovery and how you would benefit from this education.