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When it comes to Back 2 Basics, working in the drug and alcohol treatment industry is a practice in patience and a witnessing of miracles. These two elements go hand in hand when working with newly sober alcoholics and addicts. First, there is the patience of sifting through years of coping and defense mechanisms. The time spent with a new client as he or she comes to grips with their own problems and powerlessness over substances and much of life. As a staff working in these situations the patience pays off when one day the client does something amazing, something as simple as saying thank-you, or as profound as a deep personal or spiritual shift that changes their perspective on life.
I have worked in several different treatment situations ranging from wilderness therapy, to running groups at a residential program, to working as a residential counselor at Back 2 Basics. All of these positions have been rewarding and challenging, each in their own way. My experience at Back 2 Basics has been exhilarating, seeing the rapid changes taking place in our first client, a passionate young man actively perusing recovery. The changes in this client have taken place in a short time, only 4 weeks. Though still rough around the edges he has shown an amazing capacity to deal with changing situations, to receive feedback concerning unhealthy behaviors, and subsequently attempt to shift his own behavior.
Much of our days consist of recovery meetings, service work, hiking, biking, cooking, talking together, and work around the Back 2 Basics campus.There is always something that needs to be done, which keeps us all busy, from seven in the morning to ten at night. Keeping focused on the work at hand and contributing to the community are important aspects of the Back 2 Basics program, aspects which fall in line with the principles of recovery.