Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in a Teen Challenge Program

You've made the decision that your loved one needs help. Now comes the hard part: figuring out which program is the right fit.

The internet is full of options. Every website promises transformation. Every brochure features smiling graduates. But behind the marketing, programs vary widely in approach, cost, structure, and outcomes. The wrong choice costs time your family may not have. The right choice could change everything.

At SVTC, we spent 16 years running residential recovery programs and many more helping families navigate this exact decision. We've learned what questions separate good programs from great ones, and which red flags families often miss in the fog of crisis.

Print this out. Take it with you. Use it on every phone call and facility tour. The program that welcomes these questions is probably the program worth considering.

Program Basics

These are the foundational questions. If a program can't answer these clearly, move on.

1. How long is the program?

Most effective faith-based residential programs run 9 to 12 months. Shorter programs can stabilize a crisis, but lasting transformation takes time. Be wary of promises that sound too quick.

2. What is the daily schedule?

Ask for a sample weekday breakdown. You want to see structure: wake times, work assignments, classes, chapel, meals, recreation, and lights out. Idle time is dangerous in early recovery. Programs that can't articulate a clear daily rhythm probably don't have one.

3. What is the staff-to-resident ratio?

More staff usually means more individualized attention. Ask how many residents each staff member oversees and whether staff live on-site or work in shifts.

4. What are the admission requirements?

Some programs require detox completion before entry. Others accept residents in active withdrawal. Some have age restrictions, gender specifications, or exclude certain substances or mental health conditions. Know the requirements before you invest emotionally.

5. Is there a waiting list, and how long?

Crisis doesn't wait for open beds. Ask about current availability and what happens if a spot isn't immediately open. Some programs offer priority placement for urgent situations.

6. What substances or behaviors does the program address?

Not all programs handle all addictions equally. Some specialize in alcohol, others in opioids, others in process addictions like pornography or gambling. Make sure the program has experience with your loved one's specific struggle.

For an overview of Teen Challenge options across the state, visit our Teen Challenge Virginia page.

Faith and Structure

Teen Challenge is explicitly faith-based. But "faith-based" can mean different things at different centers. These questions clarify what you're actually getting.

7. What is the spiritual curriculum?

Ask what materials they use. Most Teen Challenge centers follow a standardized curriculum, but implementation varies. You want to know: Is this Bible study? Discipleship training? Recovery-focused Scripture application? All of the above?

8. Who leads the spiritual teaching?

Are teachers ordained ministers? Trained staff? Outside volunteers? Former graduates? The quality of discipleship depends heavily on who's doing the discipling.

9. How is faith integrated into daily life beyond chapel services?

Chapel is one hour. The day has 16 waking hours. Ask how faith shapes work assignments, conflict resolution, accountability structures, and everyday conversations. Programs where faith only shows up in scheduled services are missing the point.

10. Is church attendance part of the program?

Most Teen Challenge centers attend local churches on Sundays. This matters because graduates need to be comfortable in church settings before they leave. Ask which church they attend and whether residents participate in the congregation or sit separately.

11. How does the program handle residents who aren't Christians or aren't sure what they believe?

Good programs welcome skeptics while being clear about their approach. Faith can't be forced, but it can be modeled. Ask how staff engage residents who are spiritually resistant or questioning.

12. What does accountability look like?

Recovery requires accountability. Ask how residents are held accountable to each other, to staff, and to program expectations. What happens when someone breaks rules? What's the process for restoration after failure?

Family Role

Your loved one isn't the only one affected by addiction. These questions address how the program involves and supports the whole family.

13. What is the family communication policy?

Most programs restrict phone calls and visits in early phases, then gradually increase contact. Ask for the specific timeline: When can you call? How often? How long? When can you visit?

14. Are there family weekends or events?

Many programs host family days, graduation ceremonies, or mid-program visits. These milestones matter for rebuilding relationships. Ask what's scheduled and what's expected of families who attend.

15. Does the program offer family counseling or education?

The best programs recognize that families need help too. Ask whether they provide family counseling sessions, educational workshops on addiction, or resources for spouses, parents, and siblings.

16. How will the program communicate with us about our loved one's progress?

Ask who your point of contact is and how often you'll receive updates. Will you hear from a case manager? A counselor? The resident themselves? How will you know if there's a crisis or setback?

17. What boundaries does the program recommend for families?

Programs that have walked this road know which family behaviors help and which enable. Ask what they recommend for your involvement during the program period.

Costs and Logistics

Money conversations are uncomfortable but necessary. Hidden costs create resentment and financial strain. Get clarity upfront.

18. What is the total cost of the program?

Ask for a complete number, not just monthly tuition. Some programs charge a one-time fee. Others charge monthly. Some operate entirely on donations with no set cost to families.

19. What does that cost include?

Housing, food, curriculum materials, basic toiletries, medical care, counseling, transportation to church, graduation fees. Ask what's covered and what's extra.

20. What additional expenses should we expect?

Dental work, prescription medications, eyeglasses, specialty clothing, personal items, travel for family visits. These add up. Get a realistic estimate of out-of-pocket costs beyond tuition.

21. Are payment plans available?

Many families can't pay thousands upfront. Ask about monthly payment options, sliding scales based on income, or scholarship funds for families in financial hardship.

22. What happens if our loved one leaves early?

Ask about refund policies. If your loved one walks out in month two of a prepaid twelve-month program, what happens to the remaining funds?

23. Does the program accept insurance?

Most Teen Challenge centers do not accept insurance because they operate as faith-based ministries rather than licensed treatment facilities. This often makes them more affordable than clinical programs, but verify for your specific situation.

For detailed information on what Teen Challenge typically costs and how centers handle finances, see our Teen Challenge cost breakdown.

Aftercare and Long-Term Support

Graduation is not the finish line. These questions address what happens next.

24. What is the aftercare plan?

Ask what structured support exists after graduation. Is there a formal aftercare program? How long does it last? What does it include?

25. Does the program offer transitional housing?

Some graduates aren't ready to return home immediately. Ask whether the program has second-phase housing, partners with transitional living facilities, or can recommend safe housing options.

26. How does the program help with employment?

Job skills, resume building, interview preparation, and employer connections matter. Ask what vocational training happens during the program and what job placement support exists after graduation.

27. Is there an alumni network?

Graduates supporting graduates creates ongoing community. Ask whether the program maintains alumni groups, hosts reunions, or facilitates connections between current residents and successful graduates.

28. How does the program connect graduates to local churches?

Church involvement after graduation is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success. Ask how the program helps graduates find and integrate into healthy church communities in their home areas.

29. What happens if there's a relapse after graduation?

Relapse isn't inevitable, but it's common enough that every program should have a plan. Ask whether graduates can return for additional support, whether there are alumni accountability structures, and how the program responds when someone struggles post-graduation.

30. Can we contact graduate families for references?

Programs confident in their outcomes should be willing to connect you with families who've been through the process. Hearing from someone who's walked this road is worth more than any brochure.

Virginia Options and How SVTC Helps

Virginia has several Adult & Teen Challenge centers serving men and women across the state. Fredericksburg, Richmond, and other locations offer residential programs following the national Teen Challenge model.

Each center operates somewhat independently with its own culture, staff, and capacity. What fits one family may not fit another.

That's where SVTC comes in. We no longer operate residential programs, but we've spent decades inside this world. We know the centers. We know the questions. We know what to look for and what to avoid.

When you contact us at /get-help, you're not getting a sales pitch. We have no beds to fill. We have experience to share. We can help you evaluate options, think through logistics, and make a decision you feel confident about.

Make the Call

Choosing a program feels overwhelming because it is. The stakes are high, the options are many, and you're making decisions in the middle of a crisis.

But you don't have to figure this out alone. Armed with the right questions, you can cut through the noise and find a program that gives your loved one the best possible chance.

Trust your instincts. Ask hard questions. And don't let urgency push you into a decision you haven't thought through.

If you're ready to talk through these questions or need help finding the right fit, contact us at /get-help. We're here for you.

Contributed by Justin Franich, Director, Shenandoah Valley Teen Challenge. With nearly 20 years of personal recovery and over a decade leading faith-based recovery ministry, Justin has walked alongside hundreds of families. Read more at justinfranich.com/about.