Troubled Students Find Safe Passage and a Second Chance with Summer Wilderness Program
Parents of college students struggling with their new-found freedom by drinking and using drugs find hope in summer wilderness therapy program designed to help these young adults rediscover their priorities.
(PRWEB) June 21, 2005 -- Summer vacation means fun, sun and a chance to
escape the stresses of school and social pressure, but for a rising number of
young adults it can also exacerbate an ongoing struggle with alcohol or drugs.
That's why the Utah-based Passages to Recovery is combining outdoor adventure
and substance abuse treatment in a program specifically designed to address the
needs and interests of young adults and their families.
Large amounts of
free time and the stress of increased time spent with family (especially after
experiencing the independence of a college environment) are just two of the
issues that can trigger increased substance use among teens and young college
students, explains Passages to Recovery executive director Trilby Hoover, who
notes that drunk-driving and substance abuse related accidents statistically
increase during holidays and school vacations.
Using outdoor challenges
and wilderness experiences, Passages to Recovery helps students address and
overcome their substance abuse issues before they reach drastic proportions.
"A lot of 18-22 year olds don't necessarily have a full-blown drinking
or drug problem but they have experienced one or two incidents and they are
beginning to suffer from declining grades and focus," Hoover explains.
"Because they're problem users rather than alcoholics or addicts,
they're not yet too heavily entrenched in the substance abuse cycle. The
wilderness experience gives them the chance to enjoy a healthy start by getting
their priorities back on track and acquiring the personal skills necessary for
maintaining a healthy, sober lifestyle."
Now in its fifth year, the
program is so effective that former students often return during the summer to
serve as counselors and mentors to new enrollees.
"Coming back to work
for Passages to Recovery has been such an incredible experience," says Laura,
23, a returning counselor. "There are no words to describe [the feeling of
satisfaction that comes from watching a student's face light up when I tell them
that I've sat exactly where they're sitting – and they can see how far I've
come."
James, 22, agrees with Laura, and credits his own wilderness
experience at Passages as life-changing: "I found an amazing connection out
here, [and I love to share it with those who seek it," he
enthuses.
Trilby Hoover also credits the program's success rate with the
fact that students love the hands-on, experiential approach to treatment. "Young
people are active and kinesthetic; they don't want to sit and have a cognitive
experience [like that seen in conventional treatment facilities. The reality is
that conventional treatment centers don't like to work with young adults because
they are so much work, but we love them. It's such a dynamic age and they are so
easy to motivate."
Integrating the philosophy of traditional 12-step
recovery with traditional therapy and the healing power of wilderness
experience, the Passages to Recovery program combines comprehensive clinical
assessment and treatment with an individualized, multi-phase treatment plan. The
highlight – and key – to each plan is the completion of a multi-day wilderness
experience.
"During the wilderness experience students learn the skills
essential to a sober lifestyle," states Hoover. "We offer a particular focus on
self-care by teaching students how to set up camp for themselves – planning to
maintain comfort in varied conditions, identifying an appropriately sheltered
site -- it's a lesson that teaches the importance of planning, awareness and
decision-making: fundamental skills for a healthy, sober
lifestyle."
"Overall, the program is designed to help students understand
that what they might see as a failure is simply a challenge – then we give them
the tools to address that challenge," Hoover adds. "Living out in the
wilderness, students discover that they can navigate when they get lost and they
can push through challenge to success."
Passages to Recovery is a unique
twelve-step substance abuse treatment program designed to stimulate a spiritual
awakening within a wilderness experience. It includes responsible and
comprehensive clinical care and assessment. More information about Passages to
Recovery is available at http://www.passagestorecovery.com or by calling
1-866-625-8809.
Contact:
Vera Appleyard
866-625-8809
e-mail
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb252632.htm