I feel for these parents (I am one of them). Our kids go to Aspen Ranch in terrible shape and we all hope for the best. I sent my son there with hopes that he would have some time to figure out that the path he was on was one of self distruction and to figure out a new direction. We all hope that we will see miracles. Since we took him out just over a year ago, he has had his ups and downs. He is in a better emotional and psycholigical state, but I think that is mostly due to him maturing rather than anything he learned at Aspen Ranch (this is obviously not a scientific study, just my gut feeling). He isn't doing too well in school, but he does have plans on moving out and going to community college (my wife and I are helping him out financially). When things are going good, he is a pleasure to have around and we have great discussions and debates. We go to concerts and discuss music (we are heading out next Sunday to see System of a Down and Gogol Bordello). We went to Hawaii for a week and things couldn't have been better. When things are going bad, I am a terrible person who has ruined his life and he will never forgive me. I love my son and will do whatever I can to help him.