I was the poster in question who attended HCYF in Plymouth, Minnesota. Everyone who I talked to while I was there who had been to previous treatment programs best described it as, "The Cadillac of Treatment Centres".
As far as the extended care program went, it was a male-only program which was recommended for patients who weren't deemed ready to leave, and needed extra treatment. All patients (both male and female) who go to Hazelden however are given aftercare recommendations to halfway houses before they are discharged.
The only mobility restrictions that were placed on patients at Hazelden were that a counsellor was required to escort anyone who needed to go to the opposite sex's area of the building and that physical contact was not allowed between males and females (for obvious reasons). There were no "levels" per-say that differentiated one patient from another aside from step work. The only people who enforced the rules were (certified) counsellors. It's funny how there was never an incident of "acting out" that required physical restraint while I was there, I guess there's something to be said for one's attitude being a reflection of their environment.
Having just gotten out of AARC, I was amazed with the leeway that patients at Hazelden were given. Eg) On my first day I had to continuously remind myself that I didn't have to ask permission for basic functions like using the washroom. Additionally, they used an ethos of care and kindness in treatment as opposed to the AARC method of punishment and corrosive mental manipulation. The treatment options at Hazelden were fantastic as well as a tool to assist my own recovery. Things such as personal therapy sessions (which I found most helpful to get me out of my AARC'ed mindframe and to help me deal with my resentments towards AARC), and relapse prevention sessions were all huge assets.
I was able to complete my step 5 while there (in only 35 days) and I feel that writing and discussing it with the Chaplain (as opposed to St. Vause :roll:) was what keeps me clean today.
In regards to the girl who didn't have a good experience there, well, I doubt that I would have taken the most out of it either if I hadn't already experienced the alternative; so if I could thank AARC for anything, it would be for that reason alone.