When my children were in high school, I noticed the kids today party much more than when I was a kid. For a while, I thought their actions were those of normal teens, having fun, blowing off steam, etc..After all, they were teens, and mine were enrolled in a tough private school. I tried to justify the pressure not to rock the boat at home. Well, it started getting out of hand; failing grades, disrespect, lies, rudeness, and no concern for each other, and certainly not for my husband or myself. We tried a few licensed therapists whom my children had snowed. An education counselor strongly recommended a wilderness program in Utah for approximately 3 months only to follow up with a therapeutic boarding school for the following year. Parents will do anything for their child, especially when you feel helpless, don t know where to turn, and you feel them slipping away emotionally. Wilderness may be great for some, but it was a very temporary band aid for mine barely scratching the surface. The so called therapeutic boarding school was the scariest place I had ever visited. I wasn t one bit surprised when I realized my child regressed at that school, but my intention here isn t to bash the schools as they may help with other issues, but they don t address addiction. I ll get to the point Crossroads Recovery Program.. I made the call, and it was the best decision I have ever made. As a mother, I knew it was the perfect program for my daughter, and later, my son. My husband, however, took his time doing due his diligence. A week later, our daughter was enrolled, and months after that, our son joined the group. After my initial jitters, I found myself absolutely adoring this program and all it had to offer. I have to say I was weary of my kid hanging out with former addicts, and then I thought, wait, these kids are now sober, no one is forcing them to be here, and helping the new kids in turn helps them. Crossroads is based on the twelve step program. It s a strong, solid program, for addicts and non addicts. It strengthens relationships and enriches lives, and it can be incorporated in all areas of one s life. Let me tell you just a few things I have learned from Crossroads; it s not a short fix-meaning you don t just go to a 30 day program and you re miraculously cured! It takes your teen, or twenty something child to want to change his/her life, and it takes at least a couple of years before they are ready to move on from the program after all, they are young! They have unbelievable second-to-none support from the peers in the group, counselors and group and graduates as well. They have a blast in this program, and come to realize sobriety is much more fun than their previous lifestyles. They have learned real life lessons, and I am still amazed at how grateful, kind, caring, and honest my children are because of Crossroads. Just in the past three plus years we have been involved, several grads are now in college, working, or both, and two that I know of headed off to med school. I am very grateful to have gotten to know the participants in Crossroads; they are the sweetest, most caring, non judgmental and fun group of teens/twenties I have ever known. For the first several months I was involved with the parent meetings because I would do anything to support my children. Over time I have come to realize that those meetings are for me & for my own healing, after all, addiction is a family disease. I am continually learning from the parent education meetings. It s an unexpected bonus that I feel that I have grown as a person as well, (always a work in progress).These counselors give their time and talents more than any other. A big part of the success of Crossroads is because the counselors have all been there, and the kids can totally relate to them. They get it, and they are totally dedicated. Is it perfect? I would have to say no but I don t know what I would change! I do know there is no better support out there, I can t say enough good things about Crossroads. Forever grateful.