Teen's Addiction Leads Family To Unique Wilderness Therapy Program

At age 12, straight-A student James
turned to methamphetamines to help him cope with his mother's near-fatal
illness and to be accepted by peers. Little did he know the drug would
later place him in his own life-or-death struggle to overcome addiction.


James' journey to overcome addiction at Passages to Recovery, a unique
wilderness-based substance recovery program, was featured on the July 30,
2006, episode of A&E Television Network's documentary series
"INTERVENTION(TM)."


"With the help of A&E Television, James' mother was introduced to
Passages to Recovery for the treatment of her son," said Trilby Hoover,
executive director of Passages to Recovery. "Passages to Recovery
incorporates individual, group and family therapy, proven treatment
methods, and a 12-step philosophy to create a successful 'wilderness rehab'
experience for young adults."


Based in southern Utah, Passages to Recovery is a program of Aspen
Education Group, the nation's private-sector leader in providing
therapeutic education to under-achieving or struggling young people.


"Passages to Recovery is an incredible program that brought hope, joy
and love back into our lives," said mom Marybeth. "The tools and knowledge
they taught at Passages to Recovery were unbelievable," James' father,
James, Sr., noted. "James' outlook on life has done a complete turnaround."


"During my therapy in the wilderness, I learned self-reliance and
self-confidence, and most importantly I learned how to face my fears
without drugs," said James. "I hope my experience can help others
understand that they can overcome addiction at programs like Passages to
Recovery."


According to Hoover, students like James benefit from the
individualized clinical care and therapy they receive from the program's
professional therapists and wilderness guides. "The Passages to Recovery
wilderness rehab program is designed specifically for young adults who are
18-30 years old; and it allows them to experience success and develop
self-esteem by overcoming the physical, mental and emotional challenges of
living in the wilderness," added Hoover. "Students experience firsthand the
transformational power of nature through unique wilderness experiences like
sweat lodges and vision quests." After James' successful wilderness
treatment at Passages to Recovery, he continued his recovery process at
NorthStar Center, an Aspen Education Group young-adult aftercare program in
Bend, Oregon.


Aspen's success in helping young people overcome substance abuse has
been documented and featured in international media, including the United
States' nationally syndicated "Dr. Phil" and in the United Kingdom on ITV's
"Britain's Youngest Boozers" and "Tonight with Trevor McDonald." Aspen's
programs also have been featured on CNN, National Public Radio, "Dateline
NBC," NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America," and in the New York
Times, Los Angeles Times Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, and USA Today.


Aspen's programs offer a combination of education and therapy or
counseling for young people who have demonstrated behavioral, learning or
substance use issues that interfere with their performance in school and
their relations with peers, family and friends. Aspen's offerings range
from short-term interventions to long-term programs, and include a variety
of settings, including wilderness therapy, boarding schools, residential
treatment, and weight-loss programs.


For more information on Passages to Recovery, call 866-625-8809 or
visit passagestorecovery. For more information on Aspen's other
programs, visit aspeneducation or call 888-972-7736. For more
information on A&E INTERVENTION(TM), please visit
aetv/intervention.


Aspen Education Group

aetv/intervention