Well...I hope that I can be of help to anyone out there. My name is Jessica and I graduated three years ago at the age of 18. I was one of the oldest and I also had one of the shortest stays at MMS, 18 months. I think that the program when I was there was very focused on the 12 step programs and going through the "recovery process". I would not say that I am an addict of any sort. I was a teen that was depressed, unhappy and confused. I didn't know how to deal with life in appropriate ways and I didn't know how to deal with the pain and anger of some of the things that I had been through. MMS helped me and my family get through some of these things. I wish that I had spoken up and said something like I'm not an addict, but the thing to do there when I was there was say, "Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm a...(fill in as many things that you could be an addict of).
The physical things that were required of us is probably the most rewarding thing that I toke awway from Mission Mountain. Whether it was a 22 mile ski, shoveling horse manueur, or backpacking for a few days. These all taught me the importance of hard work and stamina which I use today.
You hear rumors today about alumni that have slipped back into their old ways, but I don't know what to believe. We're in the real world. People have hard times and most will never have the amount of support that we had at the school. I would say that the majority are doing really well. I don't do drugs, I have had a boyfriend for almost three years that knows all about MMS and has supported me completely. I am 21 so I do drink, but moderatly and safely. I think that people have many different experiences at MMS. Some good and some not so good.
Let me know if anyone has any questions. It's been a few years and I think that the school has changed a bit, but I am happy to share my experience with anyone.
Jessica