STARS

Hope. Health. Connection.

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Overcoming Sexual Abuse, Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Success Stories @ STARS

One of our STARS counselors shared a truly incredible story about a young person who is on the path to recovery from sexual abuse and alcohol and drug addiction.

“I met this student her freshman year when I was speaking in a classroom about STARS.  Her presenting issues were a history of sexual abuse, alcohol/drug use in her family as well as her own abuse of pills and difficulty controlling anger.  She agreed to be in a STARS support group and through that experience decided to stop abusing drugs.  Although she had received some help when she was much younger for the sexual abuse, she saw that this was the root cause of her anger.

The group that she participated in gave her a safe place to express feelings and the support she needed to grow and heal. This remarkable young lady was alcohol/drug free for the rest of her high school experience; was successful academically; and was able to help her peers deal with similar issues.  In her senior year, she began giving back by speaking to younger students who were struggling with abuse issues.  She is a freshman this year at UTK and plans to major in nursing.”

Need Support?

Local to Middle Tennessee?

Great news! STARS offers education tools to help you, your organization, school, peers, and young children know how they can be advocates for bullying prevention, providing prevention, intervention and treatment services addressing bullying, substance abuse, violence, and social and emotional barriers to success.

Check out our different programs that are geared toward a variety of age groups:

Student Assistant Program

Kids On The Block: K -8th

Services for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Move2Stand: 9th-12th

Adult Trainings

STARS Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse (YODA) program located in Nashville, TN provides compassionate care for adolescents and young adults with substance use and co-occurring disorders. YODA provides free treatment services to youth ages 13-18 who are uninsured or have insurance that will not pay for treatment.

Visit us at the Youth Opportunity Center 1704 Charlotte Ave Nashville, TN 37203 or visit our website 

For referral & intake call our confidential line: (615) 983-6809

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

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Someone To Talk To

STARS Logo with taglineSuccess Stories @ STARS

Recently, some individuals shared powerful stories about how STARS has made an impact on their lives. It is humbling to have such an effect on these individuals’ lives.

Story #1

“I like the fact that when you need someone to talk about ‘hard’ times you can talk to the STARS counselor.  I like that you can talk about your feelings…  I can now tell some people what is on my mind.  I am more open to people than when I started STARS. I was like a locked gate with no key but now I am a door with the handle turned. All you have to do is give a little push and I will somewhat open up.”

Need Support?

Local to Middle Tennessee?

Great news! STARS offers education tools to help you, your organization, school, peers, and young children know how they can be advocates for bullying prevention, providing prevention, intervention and treatment services addressing bullying, substance abuse, violence, and social and emotional barriers to success.

Check out our different programs that are geared toward a variety of age groups:

Student Assistant Program

Kids On The Block: K -8th

Services for Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Move2Stand: 9th-12th

Adult Trainings

STARS Youth Overcoming Drug Abuse (YODA) program located in Nashville, TN provides compassionate care for adolescents and young adults with substance use and co-occurring disorders. YODA provides free treatment services to youth ages 13-18 who are uninsured or have insurance that will not pay for treatment.

Visit us at the Youth Opportunity Center 1704 Charlotte Ave Nashville, TN 37203 or visit our website 

For referral & intake call our confidential line: (615) 983-6809

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Stay Connected.

Our Supporters:

  • Giving Matters
  • Olweus
  • UW
  • NREPP
  • UW Rutherford
  • UW Sumner
  • UW Williamson
  • UW Nashville
  • UW Wilson


STARS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, culture, religion or creed, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. No one shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any of STARS’ programs or activities. STARS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This agency is funded, in part, by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Tennessee Department of Education and by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.