heck i just got back from ascent yesterday. you don't have to have major problems to be at ascent. i drank a lot, and got expelled from schol for co-ed use of dorms, and had a horrible relationship with my parents. I hated my parents, when i was first dropped off by my parents they told me it was a summer camp, but i quickly found out other wise, its a hard program, but it works. after six weeks, i love my family, realize what i have done wrong, learned new tools to deal with my anger, don't want to drink again, and just have an overall better out look on life. it is a tuff decisino to make to send your kid, but in the end it will be the right decision. hope this helps. the ascent website doesn't tewll you anything about what it really is but it does tell you what you will come out with.