Substance Use Treatment Resources

Welcome to ITG Academy, where compassionate care meets comprehensive solutions. As the cornerstone of The Promise Counseling Center's substance use treatment program, we take pride in our commitment to serving the underserved and minority residents of the vibrant DC Metro area.

​Nestled in PG County, ITG Academy is more than just a treatment center; it's a beacon of hope, making quality care accessible to all. Our mission is simple yet profound: to bridge the gaps in traditional treatment programs, ensuring every individual receives the support they deserve.​

At ITG Academy, your well-being is our priority. From the moment you step through our doors, you'll feel the warmth of our welcoming atmosphere and the dedication of our team. We understand the complexities of recovery, which is why we offer a comprehensive range of services right here on-site. From housing assistance to medical and dental care, mental health treatment, medication-assisted therapy, and beyond, we're here to support you every step of the way.​

But we don't stop there. We believe in collaboration and community, partnering with organizations to provide additional resources and services tailored to your needs. At ITG Academy, you're not just a patient; you're a valued member of our family, and we're here to help you reclaim your life.​Choose ITG Academy for compassionate care, comprehensive solutions, and a pathway to lasting recovery. Your journey starts here.

our Mission Statement

At ITG, our mission is to deliver effective and high-quality substance use treatment to Maryland residents and others in the DC Metro area, particularly those from underserved and underrepresented communities.

We are dedicated to fostering healing and empowerment for individuals who are often overlooked, mistreated, or forgotten. By leveraging strategic planning, problem-solving, and professional development, we employ evidence-based practices combined with a humanistic, culturally sensitive, and holistic approach.

Our commitment extends to treating the whole person and engaging family and community partnerships. ITG aspires to be a leader and innovator in substance use treatment, exemplifying excellence and integrity in all that we do.

our Core Values

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct in our work and relationships.

Compassion

We approach every individual with empathy and kindness, understanding their unique challenges and needs.

Education/Knowledge

We are dedicated to continuous learning and sharing our expertise to enhance our services and support our clients.

Quality

We are committed to delivering superior treatment and services, striving for excellence in every aspect of our work.

Growth

We promote personal and professional development, both within our organization and for those we serve.

Accountability

We take responsibility for our actions and decisions, ensuring transparency and reliability in our practices.

Innovation

We embrace new ideas and approaches to advance the field of substance use treatment and improve outcomes for our clients.

Driven by Purpose, Committed to Impact

ITG’s goal is to educate the community on best practices for treating substance use, provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment for service recipients to receive compassionate evidence-based care, and provide solutions for community members to reduce their risk of developing a substance use disorder.

What Can I expect at ITG?

Evidence based treatment

Trauma informed care

Holistic services

To be treated with dignity and respect

Compassionate and culturally sensitive services

Clean and safe environment

Why Choose Us?

Types of Services Available

  • Substance Use Counseling

  • Mental Health Treatment

  • Case Management

  • Peer Recovery Support/Coaching

  • Alcohol and Drug Testing

  • Evaluations and Referrals

  • Medication Assisted Treatment

  • Primary Care Services

  • Dental Services

  • Group Therapy

  • Individual Therapy

  • Transportation (some restrictions may apply)

  • Telehealth

All Services

Treatment at all levels requires service recipients to meet criteria for that level of treatment upon completion of a full assessment and evaluation. The results of the assessment, along with the clinician’s clinical judgment, and other service recipient considerations, determine treatment recommendations.

When indicated, Mental Health Services (provided onsite when possible) and Medication Assisted Treatment are provided through use of referrals to partner providers if ITG is unable to provide those services within the organization.

All programs require random UA testing. Failure to submit to random UA testing, may result in discharge from program/termination of services. The goals and expectations of all services are to provide holistic care to all recipients to promote abstinence, harm reduction, and maintenance in recovery using evidence-based practices.

PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION SERVICES (PHS/PHP)

ASAM Level 2.5 Program

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides intensive services to individuals, age 15 and older with substance abuse problems and co-occurring disorders. These services are provided by qualified clinical personnel. Services are provided a minimum of 5-6 hours a day, 4-5 days a week.

Mental Health Treatment is also included in services when indicated. Random drug testing is also utilized to monitor progress. Partial Hospitalization Services offer a variety of structured, therapeutic activities designed to support service recipients with coping and functioning on a day-to-day basis to prevent hospitalization/residential treatment. Partial Hospitalization is more intensive than General Outpatient recipient and Intensive Outpatient recipient programs. Service recipients may also enter Partial Hospitalization after completing a higher level of care, such as inpatient recipient/residential treatment. PHPs are best for people who do not require 24-hour supervision but will benefit from a higher level of support and structure than OP and IOP.

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT RECIPIENT TREATMENT (IOTX/IOP)

ASAM Level 2.1 Program

Intensive Outpatient recipient Program (IOP) provides an additional step down from the intensity of Inservice recipient/Residential or Partial Hospital Program while still offering more structure and support than standard outpatient recipient treatment.

The program is designed for individuals who can take responsibility for setting goals and working towards them in daily life but could benefit from the extra structure and group support. Service recipients will receive alcohol and drug treatment that consists of group counseling, family counseling, and individual counseling sessions. Service recipients can continue going about their regular activities but are required to show up to the sessions as scheduled. This generally means committing at least 9 hours per week for this level of treatment. The services are offered at least three days per week, for a minimum of three hours per day. All service recipients will receive an initial screening and evaluation. This information, along with the service recipient’s input, is used to create a customized treatment plan for the service recipient. Mental Health Treatment is also included in services when indicated. Random drug testing is also utilized to monitor progress. Outpatient recipient services are only available for individuals, age 15 and older. Treatment services are provided by qualified clinical personnel, utilizing an array of treatment modalities.

OUTPATIENT RECIPIENT TREATMENT (OTX/IOP)

ASAM Level 1 Program

Outpatient recipient Program (OP) is a low-intensity treatment program in a non-residential setting. It is ideal for those who have recently completed more intensive forms of treatment, have a less severe substance use disorder, or have been stable for a longer period.

Service recipients will receive alcohol and drug treatment that consists of group counseling, family counseling, and individual counseling sessions. Service recipients can continue going about their regular activities but are required to show up to the sessions as scheduled. This generally means committing at least 3 hours per week for this level of treatment. All service recipients will receive an initial screening and evaluation. This information, along with the service recipient’s input, is used to create a customized treatment plan for the service recipient. Mental Health Treatment is also included in services when indicated. Random drug testing is also utilized to monitor progress. Outpatient recipient services are only available for individuals, age 15 and older. Treatment services are provided by qualified clinical personnel, utilizing an array of treatment modalities.

EARLY INTERVENTION TREATMENT (EI)

ASAM Level 0.5 Program

Early Intervention programs are for those who have not yet been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.

This program is designed to reduce the risk of developing a substance use disorder and consists of both group and individual counseling. An emphasis is placed on education and helping service recipients identify their risk factors. This program usually requires 1-3 hours of education for 4-12 weeks, depending on risk factors (and other requirements). Weekend programs may be available which usually consist of 4 or more hours of programming.

DUI/DWI TREATMENT

Treatment for alcohol related issues vary in intensity. An assessment is used to determine the appropriate level of care.

For those that meet the criteria, 12-26 week service recipient programs are available. This is primarily for those who may be court ordered or MVA requires to complete a course. Those that need a higher level of care will be referred or transferred. Programming is usually no more than 2 hours a week. Insurance does not generally pay for DWI courses. Service recipients will have to pay these programming costs up front…payment plans may be available.

Program Goals

ITG’s goal is to help individuals improve the quality of their life by reducing their substance use and learn ways to cope with daily stressors without the use of substances.

Office Hours/On Call Policy

ITG office hours

Monday-Thursday: 9AM to 6PM

Friday: 10AM to 3PM

Saturdays are by appointment only.

After hours times are available by appointment only (primarily for IOP, PHP and DUI/DWI programs).

  • Services will be rendered onsite as well as virtually via telehealth (when applicable)

  • Staff is available on call for crisis situations 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

  • For after-hours emergencies, contact: 240-847-4844 and follow the prompts.

  • If you have an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Services Offered

Virtual and In Person

Appointments

No Wait-list

Online Scheduling

Evening Hours

Available

Integrated

Care

Housing

Resources

United by Purpose, Driven by Passion

ESTHER POPOOLA,

LCADC, LMSW, MAC, SAP

I am the founder of The Promise Counseling Center and ITG Institute.

I am a Social Worker and Substance Abuse Professional.

I was raised in Prince George’s County and love it! I am a PG girl through and through. I started “The Promise” and “ITG Institute” after witnessing the deterioration of families and the effects relationships have on individuals. I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years. My career started in Emergency Services: volunteering with the West Lanham Hills VFD, working in the ER at Doctor’s Community Hospital and the Surgical Care Unit at Children's National Medical Center.

I gained valuable knowledge and skills working and treating those in crisis. More importantly, I observed how important relationships and support are when experiencing pain (emotional or physical) and the many ways both staff and patients use unhealthy means to cope. I learned that people in pain, do not talk about it and if they do, they prefer to talk to people that look like them or have shared experiences. After working in hospitals and other healthcare agencies, I stumbled upon the world of human services and addiction treatment. I always say that this field chose me, I did not choose it.

It was through my work in alcohol and drug treatment, that I gained an overwhelming understanding of how family issues and lack of support can affect a person’s self-worth, progress, and growth.

I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in outpatient, inpatient, hospital, and criminal justice settings. After working several years in substance use treatment, I noticed huge disparities in how minority patients received treatment and their access to quality care.

Simply put, the quality of care was severely lacking and cultural considerations were missing. In addition, minority staff were often overlooked or devalued. Leadership and management in the agencies I worked, did not look like me and their decisions/management style were often insensitive, discriminatory, and biased.

Finally in 2019, I made the decision, to be more active (and aggressive) in being the change I wanted to see. “The Promise” and “ITG Institute” are the culmination of years of experience and research. I am focused on providing holistic and integrative care to Black people and other minorities in a way that is accessible, creative, and effective. I am committed to providing a work environment that nurtures, empowers, strengthens, and supports Black professionals. There is no crab in the barrel mentality over here. I am committed to helping my community get more comfortable with asking for help, believing it will come, and trusting it. I am committed to training Black professionals working in human services to be competent, have integrity, and to perform their jobs with excellence.

Family is whatever we choose it to be. Relationships occur in all areas of our lives (home, work, school, etc.). Often, people struggle with their own identity and purpose outside of relationships. Often, they get lost in relationships and when they end, they have unresolved trauma, grief, or pain. Often, they are bound by the family history that includes violence, abandonment, abuse, infidelity, pressure, or neglect. Through “The Promise” and “ITG Institute”, my mission is for you to identify and honor THE PROMISES you have made to yourself, first and foremost. Because if you do not know yourself and honor yourself, everything else will feel unsatisfying.

I am a disruptor and fiercely passionate about helping people improve the quality of their life. I lead people in transitioning from a spectator to an active adventurer/participant in their life, exploring their potential and pushing through perceived limitations. I have a talent for understanding people’s needs and reshaping their perspective towards themselves and their world. Everyday, I trust in The Promises of God for my life and the gifts He has blessed me with... which allows me to serve you!

Our Amazing Team!

Esther Popoola, LCADC, LMSW, MAC, SAP

🩵Therapist/Clinical Supervisor

🩵Substance Use Professional

🩵SAP Provider/DOT Violations

🩵Licensing, Accreditation, & Program

Development Consultant for SUD Programs

Donta Dinkins, CSC - AD

Substance Abuse Counselor

Donta Dinkins has been an addiction counselor for almost four years. He finds this career to be both demanding and rewarding. His current credentials are CSC AD. He currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Addiction Counseling.

A father of four children, two boys and two girls. His current education and professional goals are to achieve his Masters degree and obtain his LCADC.

Mark Humprey

Housing Coordinator and Peer Support

A dedicated peer support and community resources manager at In The Gap Academy. He studied communications at Morgan State University. Mark leverages his knowledge and experience to empower individuals on their recovery journey.

Having achieved over 10 years of sobriety himself, he is passionate about helping others navigate the challenges of recovery and find stability in their lives. Mark’s commitment to service and community makes him an invaluable asset to the ITG team.

Contact Us

If you’re seeking support for what you’re going through, you’ve come to the right place.

Give us a call, or send us a message and

we’ll get back to you soon.

ITG Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9AM to 6PM

Friday: 10AM to 3PM

Saturdays are by appointment only.

8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 420, Landover MD 20785

[email protected]

240-847-4844

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Contact Us

240-847-4844

8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 420, Landover MD 20785