18 is Too Late! Hope and Help Meets You Where You Are

When I moved from Alaska to the East Coast (Virginia and South Carolina), it did not occur to me that there would be little to no substance use disorder treatment programs for adolescents. I lived in Alaska 36 years. Alaska had (and still has) these services for adolescents. Why not here?

I have heard over and over again that we need to wait until the teen is 18 before they are eligible for a treatment program. When an adolescent can be diagnosed with a substance use disorder at age 12, waiting until the individual is 18 to help him or her find freedom from the substance use is too late. They need help (and their families need support) when the teen is diagnosed (if not before).

That's why I support Sozo Chaya, Inc. It's a new faith-centered nonprofit [501(c)3] organization whose mission is to support communities in intervention and prevention of substance use among adolescents and to provide compassionate, evidence-based substance use treatment and recovery services within a nurturing environment for adolescents and their families. 

Sozo Chaya, Inc.'s vision is to transform the lives of adolescents and their families by helping them create safer, healthier, and better lives for themselves and their communities.

Sozo Chaya, Inc. is committed to helping adolescents find freedom from substance use and discover their God-given purposes.

Am I passionate about this? Absolutely! I have worked in substance use treatment and recovery since 2000. I have seen some sad cases. But I have also witnessed miracles. There is hope when intervention, prevention, treatment and recovery is available and accessible.

Sozo Chaya, Inc. is currently raising funds to open a facility that will provide services to Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina. We want to expand to other areas that need these services. We want to fill the gap. But first things first. Because I live in Myrtle Beach, I am opening the pilot program in the Grand Strand. We want to prove that the program is solid and it works!

New life begins when recovery starts. Sozo Chaya, Inc. is making a difference in young lives by helping teens struggling with substance use find a new beginning. They don't need substances to help them cope with life. They need to know a different way and the support to find that way. 

Won't you help a teen find freedom from substance use? Your contributions are much appreciated and are tax deductible. Contributions can be made to Sozo Chaya, Inc., PO Box 30065, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588; Venmo to Sozo Chaya, Inc.; or PayPal to Sozo Chaya, Inc. If you have any questions, please email me at Cynthia@sozochayainc.org.