
Families & Friends Of Addicts Support Group
Addiction affects more than just the individual. This community is dedicated to the families and friends of individuals suffering from any form of addiction. Mental health professionals are increasingly considering alcoholism and addiction as diseases that flourish in and are enabled by family systems. Family members react to the addicted person with particular behavioral...

mom-of-3
Has anyone ever heard of Spring Creek Lodge? It's a boarding school for troubled teens, including ones with addiction. Has anyone ever had their child in a place such as that and, if so, can you tell what the experience was like?
I read a book called Come Back - it's about a mother and daughter's journey through the daughter's addiction. It was well written by both of them - very intimate and personal - true story. The daughter was sent to Spring Creek Lodge and came out of the school/treatment center a year later -- thriving. I was impressed with the program but I need to know more - first hand -from someone who is familiar with it.
And.....ironically, in the book a cowboy/counselor who works with these teens at Spring Creek Lodge, named Mike, was very popular with the kids. The daughter liked him a lot and mentioned his name quite frequently in her writings. Oh...to the irony... I was listening to a talk show host, called Dennis Prager and he had a guest on his show named Mike Linderman. Dennis introduded him as a cowboy/counselor who is now the author of a book called "Teen Whisper" - a book about troubled teens and how to help them. I wondered if Mike was the same one as the one at Spring Creek. It is! Saw his name on the Spring Creek website...
Although Spring Creek is so far away from Ohio.....and I know there are other facilities....I feel almost "attached" to this one. I need to use my common sense over emotion and get an idea about what else is out there. I need to know from someone first hand what their child experienced. Any help would be appreciated.
I read a book called Come Back - it's about a mother and daughter's journey through the daughter's addiction. It was well written by both of them - very intimate and personal - true story. The daughter was sent to Spring Creek Lodge and came out of the school/treatment center a year later -- thriving. I was impressed with the program but I need to know more - first hand -from someone who is familiar with it.
And.....ironically, in the book a cowboy/counselor who works with these teens at Spring Creek Lodge, named Mike, was very popular with the kids. The daughter liked him a lot and mentioned his name quite frequently in her writings. Oh...to the irony... I was listening to a talk show host, called Dennis Prager and he had a guest on his show named Mike Linderman. Dennis introduded him as a cowboy/counselor who is now the author of a book called "Teen Whisper" - a book about troubled teens and how to help them. I wondered if Mike was the same one as the one at Spring Creek. It is! Saw his name on the Spring Creek website...
Although Spring Creek is so far away from Ohio.....and I know there are other facilities....I feel almost "attached" to this one. I need to use my common sense over emotion and get an idea about what else is out there. I need to know from someone first hand what their child experienced. Any help would be appreciated.

mgs1
Sit and meditate. The answer will come. It is not always a coincidence. Often times it is a message from Spirit. I believe you already know the answer is being sent to you - you simply aren't trusting your instincts.

deleted_user
do a search on google and see what you find out - some of these organizations have had lawsuits because of the horrors that they've done. I have no experience on this one but I'm sure you can search on line and find out who the parent organization is. also check on sites like "troubled teens" and you'll probably find info on this one. Good luck

mom-of-3
I just googled Spring Creek Lodge lawsuits. I was almost sold on sending my son there. I know there MUST be successes, otherwise, the school wouldn't still be around BUT now I am not so sure.

deleted_user
Remember that even the best hospitals/theraputic or otherwise have been sued at some point in time. Our society is all about lawsuits etc. I sent my boy to a facility for 18 months when he was just 9 years old cause I couldn't handle his bipolar rages...it saved our lives....now he's a 17 year old medication compliant and well adjusted honor student doing well with therapy and medications. I made sure where I put my son that I retained all parental rights and could have removed him at anytime with or without medical approval.

mom-of-3
I checked out a facility around the Atlanta area called Darrington. Eventually we may send our son there. I think I would like to send him to a short term drug treatment center before shipping him off for a year or so. It would be way too upsetting for him to be whisked out of his bed in the middle of the night. Yes - we'd have to get an escort service to get him there. He is very sensitive right now on top of drug addicted. I know him. He has a gf who he is extremely close to and I would fear for his mental health if we decide to go that route.

deleted_user
just remember that that recovery sometimes can't be reached in a short term program due to the time restraints. If he is not ready then a longer program may get him to his rock bottom and give the facility time to build him back up before he comes back to you. I know it's hard to let go of them but sometimes we have to do what's best for them and trust that others will take care of him. I promise a long term program is alot easier for you to handle than a prison sentence. Addiction leads to death or prison and sometimes both. I love you my friend and will be praying for you. I speak from experience on both sides of the fence (recovered addict as well as engaged to an addict in recovery)

deleted_user
I totally agree - he probably needs a long term program and that is much better than prison. Give it some more thought but know that we are here for you with whatever decision you make. We truly do care!

mom-of-3
Well, I looked at Darrington. Not quite sure about. I have some positive and negative thoughts about it. Since it's the first place we looked we am not going jump on it until I look, at least, at one other place. The next facility isn't as radical. We can actually see our son ALMOST right away, as opposed to, at least, 3 months down the line. I don't feel comfortable with that one. Plus the place we'll be looking at is only 2 1/2 hour drive away, as opposed to a 2 1/2 plane ride. All this is going to be very costly. Unfortunately, the system doesn't allow for a longer program. And, unfortunately, our son will not be going to a place around here because he is considered a flight risk.....

joemm
Spring Creek Lodge is a WWASPS affliate Please Google wwasps lawsuits and decide for yourself. I found another program for my son.
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