I want to take this post very seriously. To that end, let me put together some disclaimers.

1. This information is not all-inclusive. Do your own research! Putting your family members under the care of other people is something you should always take seriously! Your family situation is unique and you should gather as much information as possible.
2. I have not personally undergone this process. My brother, not my children, and not myself, participated in Wilderness Programs. My children are still very young and addictions are not currently in their picture. Talk to people who have done this with their family and get their perspectives. It’s important to gather as much information as possible (notice a theme?).
3. I haven’t looked at every single Wilderness Program. There are far too many, and many of them too small to even find. I have done my research, but that is not exhaustive. Gather as much information as possible!
4. There are bad programs. I’m not going to sugar coat it. Bad people do bad things. There are bad wilderness programs out there, just as there are bad people in every industry. Do not put your family member under the care of bad people! Gather as much information as possible.

In order to pick a wilderness program, you really should understand what a wilderness program is. In short, it’s camping. Participants often don’t have access to air conditioning of any kind. Not all programs include actual buildings, and many have long periods without access to a tent, instead opting for sleeping in hammocks, sleeping bags, and other apparatuses–often called “bivvies” or “bivouac” which is really just a fancy term for “improvised shelter”. As with any camp, you expect a number of planned activities, some survival related, some social, some more spiritual (e.g. meditation). For that reason, you can expect a number of tools involved, like axes, knives, and potentially even guns (not every program includes these). You should make sure you know what life will look like for your family member.

Do the research. Take some time to think about how your child has been raised. What type of environment have they been raised with? Could they benefit from outdoor activity? Would eating healthy and removing technology help refocus their choices?

Go online and look at wilderness and nature based programs. Do not just admit your child to the first program you find. There are many good and many bad programs and it is best to find out as much information as you can. Check out their history and their therapists. Make a few phone calls. Speak with them and explain your situation and ask for their direction. These programs have so much to offer, not just in the treatment for your child but also in their experience, strength, and hope. They understand and can help you find great placement.

Wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, nature-based therapy, or outdoor behavioral healthcare are just a few names for outdoor alternative treatment options. This type of treatment is typically used for adolescents or young-adults who are struggling with substance abuse, addiction, behavioral, mental, or emotional troubles.

Wilderness therapy comes in several forms: full-time overnight programs and day programs. Wilderness therapy is meant after other types of home treatment have been tried with no success.

Admitting to a substance use detox program is a crucial first step towards long term recovery. I have been involved in detox both as a client and as a mental health clinician. Here are some tips and insights for the process based on my knowledge and experience.

• What is detox?- Detox is the first step in the continuum of substance use care. It is a process where you are kept in a facility under the observation of a medical team to ensure that you are safe while detoxing from substances. You will also be provided medication to help ease the withdrawal symptoms. A case manager will help you create a discharge plan, which typically includes an inpatient or outpatient substance use program.
• Admission process- When you arrive at the detox center, expect the intake staff to immediately take your bags and prompt you to shower and change into a pair of clothes supplied by the facility. This may feel a bit humiliating at first. However, it is important to remember that the care staff are helping to keep you safe. As detox center workers, we have too often seen clients overdose on the unit from smuggled in substances.
• Cell phones- You can expect to be without your cell phone for the duration of detox. One reason for this policy is to remove temptation to acquire substances or arrange transportation home. Also, cellphones are a distraction. It is important to remain present and focus on recovery without outside influences.
• Length of stay – Depending on which substance you are detoxing from, expect to be in the facility for 5-10 days or until your body has completed the detoxification process. Detox is not jail, and you are there voluntarily. However, it is a secure medical facility meaning that you are not able to walk out the door any time you wish. If you ask to leave against medical advice, the presiding physician will typically request that you remain for a maximum of 72 hours to ensure that you are medically safe to be discharged. Detoxing from some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be life threatening if not properly managed by a healthcare provider.
• What will I do during detox? - The primary purpose of detox is to physically recover from substance dependency. One difference from rehab is that you will have a lot of down time rather than a full day of therapy groups or other recovery activities. It is important not to push yourself too hard during this phase. However, there usually will be 1-2 introductory recovery groups, meetings with your case manager, designated time to talk on the phone and often movies to help pass the time. Some detox centers will bring in yoga instructors or teach meditation promote physical wellness.
• Am I ready to return to normal life after detox? - If only it were that easy! Detox is simply recovering from the physical dependency of the substances. The real work begins when your body is back to normal. It is usually recommended to enroll in a long-term rehab program where you can begin the process of tackling the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your addiction. After completion of inpatient rehab, many clients attend sober living houses and outpatient programs. However, it is not always helpful to plan too far ahead while you are still detoxing. Remember, take it one day at a time! If you’ve made it this far, you’re already on the road to recovery.

30 days. That’s how long my father was in rehab. 60 days. That’s how long he was alcohol free. Another 60 days later, he was lying in a hospital bed surrounded by loved ones drawing his final breath. Addiction is uncharted for every passenger, family and addict alike. Being the child of an addict and growing up around normalized addictive behavior is anything but normal but those who have been close to it will know that it happens more often than most realize.

Addiction is Everywhere

I used to think that I was in an unusual situation. I grew up surrounded by addiction. My father was an addict, my step-father is an addict. My mother is an addict (of a different kind). I’m an addict. My grandmother is an addict. My grandfather was an addict. This charity is in my brother’s name because he was an addict. The list just goes on and on.

In honor of April being Alcohol Awareness Month, we at Harlan Serenity Foundation want to say we stand with those affected by alcohol abuse. Individuals still struggling, in recovery, and their loved ones are in our thoughts and we love you. No matter where you are in your journey, you are loved.

Day Five

We are very interested in what you have to say and encourage you to talk freely about drugs and drug use. Your privacy is also very important to us. This event should provide a safe and supportive environment. We pledge to you and each other to respect the comments and privacy of others. In order to keep a safe environment for sharing information, we’ve set up the following ground rules:

Day Four

We are very interested in what you have to say and encourage you to talk freely about drugs and drug use. Your privacy is also very important to us. This event should provide a safe and supportive environment. We pledge to you and each other to respect the comments and privacy of others. In order to keep a safe environment for sharing information, we’ve set up the following ground rules:

Day Three

We are very interested in what you have to say and encourage you to talk freely about drugs and drug use. Your privacy is also very important to us. This event should provide a safe and supportive environment. We pledge to you and each other to respect the comments and privacy of others. In order to keep a safe environment for sharing information, we’ve set up the following ground rules: