Describe the average day: wake up at 6 and get ready/weigh in (blind weight)and feed horses, breakfast at 7, groups/1:1, snack at 10:30, groups/1:1, lunch at 12, groups/1:1, snack at 2:30, groups/1:1/freetime, feed horses and dinner at 5, go to a 12step meeting (AA, NA, EDA, ABA etc), snack at 8, go to dorms 8:30-9, lights out at 10. on Saturdays we have a few groups in the morning then after snack at 10:30 we clean then have lunch at 12 then we go on an outing that we choose that Wednesday or we watch a rented movie we chose and usually we go to church that night and we get to choose which church. Sundays we get to wake up an hour later and we have a few groups in the morning then after lunch we do our second outing or watch movies or whatever then go to a 12step group that night.

What were meals like?
we had a two-week rotational menu we chose from except dinner that was the same every week. you could either sign up like a week or a day in advance. there were vegetarian options at every meal. we all sat together in one big room but the ED patients sat at a different table/tables (depending on how many people) than the substance abuse/depression patients. there was staff who supervised and filled out a paper for each patient on what and how much they ate of their meal.

What sorts of food were available or served?
there were usually two different meal options at each meal including a vegetarian one. breakfast was either your usual cereal/toast/fruit/protein/dairy choice or like a cooked breakfast like eggs or something. lunch was like salads, sandwiches, tacos, pizza, wraps. dinner was like chicken, spaghetti, pizza, burgers and stuff. but there was no sugar, caffeine, and they used whole wheat products.

Did they supplement? How did that system work?
we had boosts. you had to have 2 if you ate less than 50% of your meal or 1 if you ate 50%. although they save what you didn’t eat at each meal for snack but if you don’t eat it at snack then you’re given the boosts. no tubes.

What privelages are allowed?
we could have books (unless deemed unappropriate like the book wasted, triggereng books) and music (like iPods). umm no magazines, newspapers, TV, cell phones. your therapist can give you phone passes (15 minute ones). they can also give you passes to go out with family (for a few hours, a day, overnight, or a full weekend). when you’re cleared by the doctor you can walk to horses.

Does it work on a level system?
yes, there are 6 levels. there are two different systems, one for ED patients and one for substance abuse patients. for ED, on level 1 you have to be within staff supervision and you can’t flush your own toilet. level 2 you’re allowed to flush after an hour you eat. level 3 is basically the same. level 4 you’re allowed to be by yourself (like in your room or something). and i don’t remember the rest because i didn’t make it past 4 lol.

What sort of groups do they have?
every morning we have devotionals where we read from one of the daily devotional books (like beyond the looking glass or the AA daily devotional book) and discuss how we relate or what we thought of it. then we have groups like art therapy, coping skills, addictions, food group, process group, equine assisted psychotherapy, general working with horses, exercise (only if you want and you have to be cleared), i think now they have a nutritional group with a nutritionist.

What was your favorite group?
art therapy and EAP (which was frustrating as heck but you learn sooo much from working with the horses). and process group.

What did you like the most?
the staff and other patients. although there were a few that could really get to you lol but it’s like that no matter where you go.

What did you like the least?
a lot of the groups (like addictions group) and sometimes the staff weren’t very consistent with the rules. and while i was there they kept changing the schedule but i think now it’s pretty stable.

Would you recommend this program?
most definately. especially for those without good insurance because it’s a lot cheaper than other programs and you get a lot out of it.

What level of activity or exercise was allowed?
if you weren’t cleared you couldn’t walk to horses, you couldn’t participate in exercise group and you couldn’t go on the “active outing” on weekends (every week we get to choose what 12step meetings we go to, church, rented movies, and outings. we chose an “active outing” like bowling or rock wall climbing and a “sedentary outing” like going to the movies or ceramic painting). in exercise group we could go walk or do a pilates dvd they had, that kinda stuff.

What did people do on weekends?
you could get passes to leave with family from your therapist. otherwise we had morning groups and in the afternoon we watched the rented movies and went on our outings. saturday was cleaning day were we cleaned the common rooms and our rooms but it was only for like an hour.

Do you get to know your weight?
nope. we were weighed backwards. ED patients were weighed every morning and CD (chemical dependancy/substance abuse) patients were weighed like once a week.

How fast is the weight gain process?
slow. like 1-2 lbs a week but only if you needed it. it was done by eating your meals plus eating a snack at the snack times. i think some patients would only have to eat certain snacks or something. i didn’t need to gain.

What was the average length of stay?
it was based on the individual.

What was the average age range?
they have an adolescent program and an adult program (18+). there was a range from like 14-40 while i was there.