Yes, the admit you have a problem or you are in denial was a brilliant manipulation of the entire family. The family wouldn't have been there at all unless there was some kind of problem, and this crafty tactic is used throughout the entire system of youth rehabilitation, not in Straight alone. It was used in my first treatment center to get a rise out of me in front of my parents who then decided that I needed treatment because of my response.
Straight was never interested in objective evaluations of our actual conditions. They functioned like salesman who were trained to get the sale (admit everyone who comes in the door). The bar was VERY low. If you did drugs ONE TIME, you screwed up enough to need Straight. I think I may have been aware of a few who NEVER did any drugs, but had behavior problems.
I agree that the stigma associated with being in these centers hinders our credibility with those who have never had the experience of it, but that shouldn't be a deterrent from trying either. We may not have mainstream credibility ever, but this forum alone is something that people can look up and learn from. If for no other reason than that most of the people posting here have psychotic episodes now and then, they may see this and go "Shit, I ain't putting my kid in a place like that! They will hate me for the rest of my life! No way!"
