12 steps
AA's and NA's Twelve-Step Program is the most successful program in the world for helping people change behavior and stay clean and sober.
Experiencing the steps prepares clients and their families to enter self-help support groups upon returning home.
THERE IS A WAY BACK - ONE STEP AT A TIME
The First Five Steps
Wilderness Quest has modified the 12 Steps, drawing from AA, ACOA and NA to fit the special adolescent and young adult circumstances of today. All clients are required to complete "working" the first five steps while on the trail in order to graduate from Wilderness Quest.
(Neither Wilderness Quest nor the 12 Steps of Success are in any way associated or connected with AA, NA, or ACOA)
Step 1 - I accept I am powerless over the world around me. My behavior is my responsibility. By blaming others or attempting to do so, my life has become emotionally painful, and unmanageable.
In the wilderness, the student experiences powerlessness "big time" when they attempt to light their first matchless fire with two sticks and a piece of string. Powerlessness rests heavy as the student attempts to "outsmart" the weather, take a "shortcut" in canyon country, or to "manipulate the insects". They quickly learn that blaming someone or something does not start a fire, cook a meal, build a shelter in the rain, or remove the impassable canyon.
The young adult discovers no amount of complaining brings them to their destination faster or easier - only "doing" gets them there and only attitude makes it easier. The student learns they are not as powerful as they thought back home. They learn what their part is in their problems.
Step 2 - I came to believe that a power greater than myself could help me have hope, strength, and serenity.
Observing all that has been created in the wilderness, the beauty of the red rock country, the quiet, the calm, and the peace, open the door to spiritual awareness and serenity. Working with Wilderness Quest staff through Step 2 and Step 3 in the Personal Success Workbook (written and compiled by Larry and Karen Wells) and the challenge of wilderness living provides an opportunity for communication and connection with a personal Higher Power.
Experiences such as the Independent Walk-About (a long, supervised, night hike) allow an opportunity to seek strength and hope from their Higher Power. When they feel alone and at their physical and emotional end, they learn reliance on their Higher Power.
Step 3 - I made the decision to turn my life over to my Higher Power and accept responsibility for my behavior, to the best of my ability.
Fear and/or emotional pain and anger, (anger is a secondary emotion disguising fear or emotional pain) arise from the challenge of hiking, climbing, cooking or doing a several day solo. Because it is a wilderness environment with 24 hour staff supervision, students are able to call a "circle" (a structured and facilitated discussion group) which allows the adolescent or young adult to discover they are responsible for their behavior in spite of the conditions or hand of cards they have been dealt. They learn to act, rather than react, and turn it over to their Higher Power. In the circle they learn communications skills, and come to recognize that all feelings are important and need to be expressed in an appropriate manner and time.
Step 4 - I made a searching moral inventory of myself and discovered my part in the problems at home, school, work, and with friends. I listed defects I need to work on. I looked at my assets and how to use them to overcome my defects.
Over the three- and four-day solos the students step back and reflect upon their lives and behaviors. This is when they read letters from home and realize the importance of their role in their family. They realize their part in the chaos and emotional pain at home and the changes that need to occur in themselves. Because of the natural leadership opportunities throughout the program they discover their strong and positive characteristics.
Step 5 - I admitted to myself, to my Higher Power, and another human being my defects, the wrongs I have committed, the pain I have had, and my part in the behavior and secrets that have hurt and ashamed me.
After becoming comfortable and trusting of themselves and the staff, the students share the regrets and shame they are feeling. Knowing there is total confidentiality they discuss the emotional pain and secrets they have buried. The student is encouraged to be totally honest about their behaviors and to release their emotions constructively so the emotion won't come out destructively.
12-Step Sobriety
Sobriety is about healing and recovering the spirit. Wilderness Quest asks each student to begin with honesty about themselves, their addictions and their behaviors. Within wilderness, they are given specific opportunities to discover a source of help outside themselves - a Higher Power. Spirituality and sobriety is about healing the spirit, discovering the serenity of honesty, reality, self-value, and empathy. It is learning to love and value yourself, so you can value others and give back that which has been given.
Family Involvement
While students work in the field, families work in the "BRINGING LOVE HOME" workbook, listen to CD's, and have weekly phone sessions with the therapist, to prepare to be reunited with their student. Family members learn the same communication skills that students work on in the field. Wilderness Quest encourages participation in 12-step programs such as Parents Anonymous, Families Anonymous, Al-Anon, Adult Children and Co-Dependents Anonymous. When a member of the family is hurting emotionally and acting out, their behavior affects the entire family. The skills learned in the workbook and CD's, along with the real experience of practicing these new skills, greatly increase the student's and family's chances for success.
The day family enrichment phase is an intricate part of the Wilderness Quest program. Experienced counselors with special skills in communication and family systems facilitate the experience. The following represents an itinerary for a "typical" Family Program:
DAY 1: Parents and student get together for multi family group therapy. Parents and family members individually share with the student what effect the student's behavior has had on them personally.
DAY 2: Students accept responsibility for their behaviors and share with their family members their pain. They practice communication skills and the "Family Circle" process.
DAY 3: Conflict resolution, contracts and discharge plans. A family and staff meeting is held, after which, issues are wrapped up and graduation ceremony occurs. Students demonstrate wilderness living skills they have learned (i.e. bow drill fire, Paiute dead fall traps, twisting cordage, etc.)
There is no magic in recovery, but families who choose to make changes in their lives are living miracles. Learning to identify feelings, take risks and change behavior is a rewarding challenge. It is learning to love more and fear less.
More than anything...
WILDERNESS QUEST is a new beginning!