ALE-
contrary to what the disgruntled teens (now adults) may say, ALE was a wonderful experience for our 16 year old son. ALthough I do question why you would need to send a 14 year old to a wilderness program.
While at first, our son was not happy to be there, he soon learned skills that boosted his self-esteem in a way that he wasn't able to get at home. Also, he was smoking pot on a daily basis, (sometimes 3-4 times a day) and for the fornits regulars who should know that THC hangs around in the body's fat, it takes a long time (once you quit smoking) to leave. The chemicals in pot are FAR worse than smoking cigarettes (many more toxic substances) and our son's health (by chest x-ray) was not a pretty picture. Not to mention the sleeping all-day and lack of motivation.
ALE afforded him a place to detox (and yes fornits, we tried inpatient rehab)- which in my opinion was much crueler (ALE was not cruel)
ALE came him the oppurtunity to be drug-free and time away from TV, video games, computer etc. to reflect on how his decision to use drugs (and they were not just limited to pot) had negatively affected his life. He was kicked out of outpatient as well several times.
ALE doesn't have solos (where the kids go off by themselves for a few days).
In many cases, wilderness is all that is needed for many kids (especially ones as young as your son). For them, it is a wake-up call that his life was not heading in a good direction. Following ALE by another program may not be needed. I don't know the specifics in your son's case. And it is true that MANY kids do end up liking it. The programs today are NOT like the teenage boot camps 10-20 years ago. I would hestiate to send a child in the dead of winter or in the desert programs in the summer.
