Table of Contents
Back2Basics Sober Living is helping addicts come out of addiction and putting them back in to the classroom.
Twenty-one year-old and Bay Area native, Lucas Smith* had been through three, 30-day rehab facilities prior to coming to Back2Bacics Sober Living. Even prior to his attendance as a Political Science major at San Diego State University, he fell victim to the powers heroin.
Now, in his fourth month of recovery at B2B, he is attending college courses – one Spanish conversation course and one Philosophy course at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Through his course work Smith is beginning to understand the benefits of living a sober lifestyle.
Smith noted that he hated Political Science while attending SDSU, but is enjoying his college courses through B2B, in particular the conversational Spanish class. “Both are interesting. I’ve taken six years of Spanish growing up in California, so I find it easy and entertaining speaking another language,” said Smith.
Back2Basics is built on the concept that those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction must follow the 12 Steps of Recovery, in addition to re-learning life skills. Some of the other life-skill building at Back2Basics includes nutrition classes, the Outdoor Adventure Program and volunteer opportunities.
“Before getting to Back2Basics, I didn’t like camping at all. Now the outdoors is something that I have learned to enjoy. We have gone on some pretty cool hikes, anywhere from five to 20 miles per day. At first [this] was really hard to do, but now that I am in good shape it’s gotten easier,” said Smith.
With exposure to various activities, these young men struggling with alcohol and drug addiction can learn about the benefits to not only becoming a better individual, but also a better citizen and community member.
“I know I can transfer into NAU with my San Diego State credits, so I might do that next semester. I definitely understand the value of a Bachelor’s degree and plan on getting one,” said Smith.
While many rehab facilities and recovery programs work, they don’t foster the fundamentals. “Back2Basics provides a residential rehabilitation center in the Flagstaff, Arizona community and addresses addiction recovery by allowing participants to engage in real life, safe and sober activities, in order to learn to live life sober,” Back2Basics website.
“I’ve definitely come a long way physically and mentally since I stopped using heroin. It’s all thanks to this program and Alcoholics Anonymous,” said Smith.
*Name has been changed to keep confidentially of the resident and to adhere to the Alcoholics Anonymous and Back2Basics Sober Living programs.