Webinar: Addiction & Youth – Trends & Challenges

Addiction & Youth – Trends & Challenges

Free Webinar featuring Michael Durchslag, Director of P.E.A.S.E. Academy, Board Chair of the Association of Recovery Schools (ARS)

Wednesday, September 24, 2025
12:00-1 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. ET 11 a.m. MT, 10 a.m. PT)

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Nine out of ten adults who have a diagnosed substance use disorder started when they were adolescents. Furthermore, the younger someone is when they have their first use, the more likely they are to develop a substance use disorder.

Compounding the problem, youth are the most underserved demographic when it comes to addiction and recovery services.  There are many factors behind this. If we are serious about changing the trajectory of this very costly and deadly disease, we need to start further upstream and focus on research supporting best practices for youth.

Learn about the current trends in adolescent drug use and the different approaches that can make a meaningful impact on a young person’s life from the one of the country’s foremost experts on adolescent recovery.

Michael Durchslag is the Director of P.E.A.S.E. Academy (Peers Enjoying a Sober Education), the longest running recovery high school in the United States.  He began working for P.E.A.S.E. in November, 1995 as the Social Studies teacher.  Michael became the school’s Director in January, 2007.  He is a licensed 7-12 social studies teacher and earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas in 2002.  Michael also holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Beloit College (1991). His commitment to recovery schools goes beyond P.E.A.S.E. Academy as he also serves as a part of Minneapolis College’s Advisory Board for their Collegiate Recovery Community and Program, founded the state’s first Alternative Peer Group, is an advisor on the Coalition of Recovery Investments (CORI), is the Chair of the Association of Recovery Schools (ARS), and is a part of the ARS Executive Council.