At the Forefront of Addiction Treatment & Research

Addiction is not a character flaw; it is a complex, adaptive response to pain, trauma, and disconnection. My work as a somatic psychotherapist and addiction researcher centers on helping individuals reconnect with their bodies, restore nervous system balance, and build sustainable pathways to recovery.

Drawing from cutting-edge research and decades of clinical experience, I offer trauma-informed, body-based therapy for individuals navigating substance use, behavioral addictions, or patterns of compulsive coping. Through a combination of somatic practices, nervous system regulation, and relational therapy, clients are supported in accessing safety, agency, and long-term change.

As part of my commitment to evidence-based care, I remain actively engaged in addiction research, exploring the intersections of trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and recovery. My work contributes to a growing body of knowledge that supports more compassionate, effective, and embodied treatment models.

I collaborate with clinicians, researchers, and institutions dedicated to transforming the field of addiction through integrative approaches that honor the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. 

Areas of Focus:

• Somatic and polyvagal-informed addiction treatment
   
• Trauma and early attachment disruptions in addiction
   
• Nervous system regulation and relapse prevention
   
• Embodiment practices as alternatives to compulsive behaviors
   
• Research on integrative and body-centered recovery models

A gap in the recovery continuum:  Is a San Antonio recovery high school the solution?

This needs assessment explored whether establishing a recovery high school in San Antonio could address a critical gap in the local continuum of care for adolescents recovering from substance use. Researchers found that youth in recovery often lacked essential peer support within traditional academic settings, an element shown to be vital for sustaining long-term recovery. Interviews with students and families revealed that mainstream schools frequently failed to provide the supportive environment needed to maintain sobriety. At the same time, involvement in recovery-oriented programs significantly improved motivation and engagement. In response, the task force proposed the creation of a recovery high school designed to integrate academic achievement with recovery support, envisioning a setting where students could thrive both educationally and emotionally.

Viverette, A., Vasquez, J., Moreno, N., Ruelas, R., Gomez, R.J. (2020).  A gap in the 

recovery continuum:  Is a San Antonio recovery high school the solution? Recovery High School Task Force. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343224957_A_recovery_high_school_needs_assessment

In their own words: A content-analysis of post-treatment education among youth in recovery from a substance use disorder. 

This qualitative study explores the educational experiences of youth diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) posttreatment. Youth in recovery face challenges to their sobriety when returning to school following treatment for an SUD. Researchers conducted two focus groups, one with youth (n = 8) and one with their parents (n = 6), to gain insight into youth educational experiences following treatment for an SUD. The findings highlighted educational challenges for youth in traditional high school settings post-treatment. Additionally, parents and youth described the importance of their recovery communities to success in maintaining sobriety and integrating back into school. Implications for practice with youth in recovery from an SUD are addressed.

Bowie-Viverette, A., Vasquez, J., Ruelas, R., Moreno, N. & Gomez, R. (2024). In 

Their Own Words: A Content-analysis of Post-treatment Education among Youth in Recovery from a Substance Use Disorder. School Social Work Journal, 49(1), 1-17. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iassw/sswj/2024/00000049/00000001/art00004 

The Effects of a Recovery High School Program on Recovering Adolescents' Resilience.   

Research shows a relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use disorders (SUD) among adolescents. Adolescents diagnosed with SUD also have elevated ACEs. To address increased risk, it is important to support resiliency and build protective factors. Additionally, it can be challenging to maintain adolescent engagement in outpatient substance use treatment services making it important to capitalize on the impact of short engagements with recovering adolescents in their school settings. The 90-day participation period in the current study was selected to align with the typical duration of substance use treatment programs, which often span approximately three months. This timeframe provides a meaningful benchmark for evaluating the potential of recovery high schools (RHS) as an intervention to support resilience. This study examines whether adolescents' engagement in an RHS over a standard 90-day period influences key indicators of resilience during early recovery. Secondary data gathered from 30 student participants at a South Texas RHS were analyzed. At baseline the RHS administered the Teen Pediatric ACES and Related Events Screener and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R). At 90 days the CYRM-R was re-administered. Results showed resilience was higher after 90 days than at baseline. Social workers can address resilience by utilizing trauma-informed approaches and other evidence-based interventions, and leverage student strengths to advance NASW social work practice with adolescents’ standards five and six (self-empowerment of adolescents and understanding adolescent needs).

Vasquez, J., Bowie-Viverette, A.C. & Gomez. R.J. (2025). The Effects of a 

Recovery High School Program on Recovering Adolescents’ Resilience. 

Children & Schools, In Press.

Investigating the relationships between recovery high school staff well-being & work engagement- Implications for leadership.

Little is known about the characteristics of recovery high school human services and other professional staff who work in these specialized high school settings with adolescents in recovery from a substance use disorder. Researchers examined staff experiences, substance use disorder experience, perceived social support, and work engagement. Measures included the ProQOL5, ACE questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Support, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Study Spearman rho results showed a positive correlation between compassion satisfaction and dedication (rs(20)=.486, p<.05), showing that CS explains 24% of the variance in dedication, which suggests that staff who experience higher levels of compassion satisfaction are more dedicated to their role. Implications for staff and leadership are discussed. 

Vasquez, J.& Bowie-Viverette, A.C (2025). Investigating the relationships 

between recovery high school staff well-being & work engagement- Implications for leadership. Journal of Human Services, In Press.

The characteristics of adolescent tailored substance use treatment facilities services: Results from a U.S. National Survey.

There is a pressing need to monitor the healthcare environment or system to ensure timely and equitable access to substance use treatment for adolescents with a substance use disorder.In response, this study investigated the characteristics of adolescent tailored substance use facility treatment services. Data were analyzed from the United States 2017 and 2019 National Surveys of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests we compared 2017 and 2019 numbers of adolescent tailored substance use treatment programs and investigated differences. Results showed significant decreases in forms of payment accepted, facility licensure type, and national treatment service availability from 2017 to 2019. The increase was observed at regional levels, with most regions' services having increased. This study showed that key components of services can shift in a short timeframe. Given the need for adolescent tailored substance use treatment services, consistent available services that are more accessible and affordable services are needed. 

Vasquez, J., Bowie-Viverette, A.C. & Gomez. R.J. (expected 2025). The 

characteristics of adolescent tailored substance use treatment facilities services: Results from a U.S. National Survey. Manuscript under review.

Examining Recovery High School Students’ Subjective & Objective Wellbeing. 

Recovery high schools (RHS) effects on their adolescent students have been researched now for over a decade. This study sought to extend current knowledge by addressing a gap in existing data. After a review, we found no previous RHS adolescent student empirical research that examined relationships between students’ depression level, resilience, perceived wellbeing (PW), perceptions of being able to identify behavioral supports (ID), and perceptions of academic performance (AP). We sought to study these factors using secondary data from an RHS in the South. We conducted univariate analyses and bivariate analyses using Fisher’s tests, Pearson’s correlation, & independent samples t-test to analyze students (N=30) Patient Health Questionnaire 9-A scale, Brief Resilience Scale, and self-reported perceptions data. Univariate results showed that most students perceived subjective wellbeing. Statistically significant associations were observed between PW and AP (p=<.001), and ID and AP (p= <.048). An inverse relationship between brief resilience and depression level (p=-.044) was observed. We discussed implications intended to advance RHS students wellbeing directly and indirectly through their social work provider. 

Vasquez, J. & Bowie-Viverette, A.C. (expected 2025). Examining Recovery High School Students’ Subjective & Objective Wellbeing. Manuscript under review.