Back2Basics saved my life and helped me to become my old self again.
When I showed up I was scared, sad, and going through withdrawals. The staff were so understanding and empathetic and taught me coping strategies to regulate myself and get through the hard part while reassuring me that I was right where I needed to be.
I was referred to Back2Basics by a family friend who had a loved one go through the program and they informed me of its great success and spoke very highly of it; furthermore I spoke with a lot of the staff on the phone before arriving, many of whom have been through the Back2Basics program and have rebuilt their lives thanks to its efficacy.
Back2Basics is not like other treatment programs, it consists of a holistic treatment plan to heal clients emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
One aspect of Back2Basics I did not foresee but found incredibly beneficial was its focus on restructuring my preoccupation with short-term reward by separating me from my phone and limiting access to technology. Because of this, I had to relearn how to sit with my own thoughts without distraction, and how to pass the time in healthy and engaging ways (reading books, playing guitar, socializing with other clients, playing games, meditating, working out).
With a large kitchen and fresh groceries every week, us clients were able to prepare meals with fresh protein and produce, which meant proper nutrition for a healthy body. Ian, Back2Basics' own culinary specialist, would come to the property multiple times a week to cook great dinners with us and give us nutrition and fitness advice. Back2Basics also brought us to the gym every day so we could improve our fitness and undo the damage of addiction. I left the program leaner, stronger, and healthier.
One of the highlights of Back2Basics was our weekends. With two knowledgeable outdoor guides, Andrew and Colin, we spent every weekend out in nature: hiking, swimming, camping, and exploring. Discovering all the beauty of Arizona while bonding with the other clients was pivotal to my recovery, and Back2Basics prepares you for all this with excellent equipment that you get to keep upon program completion.
When we weren't at the gym or on outdoor adventures, the week was structured with plenty of therapy and groups to focus on recovery and healing. HUGE shoutout to Bethany, Natalie, and Keelyn, our program clinicians, who showed up everyday to help us clients heal and resolve our trauma. I worked with Bethany specifically doing one-on-one therapy; she helped me focus on and heal trauma I've been struggling with for decades and met me with a level of empathy and compassion that was crucial for me in my recovery. Natalie led fantastic groups that allowed me and other clients to discuss our struggles with one another and work together on solutions. Keelyn led mindfulness exercises to help us develop keen awareness of our bodies and our needs while giving excellent clinical perspectives and solutions. Thanks to all of their expertise I was able to walk away from the program with more self-assuredness, peace, and confidence that I could handle life's stresses on my own out in the real world.
Between all these activities our house managers, Cade, Reed, Ian, Dave, Brady, and Manny, connected with us and helped us navigate the day-to-day struggles by providing excellent leadership and friendship. The staff at Back2Basics made me feel truly cared for, and I am so grateful that I got to be surrounded by such kind and authentic people during my stay.
Roy, the founder of Back2Basics, is an all-around stand up human. He always checked on us guys, and I always felt like he was genuinely interested in each and every one of our recoveries. Special thanks also to Suzie for her friendly demeanor and conversation while on-site, it was always nice chatting with you while we were all cooking in the kitchen.
I would enthusiastically recommend this program to anyone struggling with addiction, and have made connections that have changed me fundamentally and made my life better. Thank you!