In Balance Ranch Academy Student Profile
No two students are alike, but students who enter In Balance Ranch Academy are having problems with alcohol and/or drug use, are unmotivated and underachieving in school, and fail to recognize their own problems. Often, they are experiencing co-occuring disorders such as ADHD or depression. There may be conflict in the family to the point where arguments escalate to a destructive level and emotional and physical safety is jeopardized.

In Balance Ranch Academy students are typically:

• Creative, yet in need of inspiration and direction
• Angry, critical and deny the importance of being successful
• Adventurous, risk-takers who like challenges
• Confused and in need of more clarity and purpose
• Isolated or involved with peers who are negative influences and reject joining with positive, goal-directed peers
• Interested in the outdoors, nature, and animals
• Bored, unmotivated and need help to discover their passions
• In need of better decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Limited in setting goals, and need more purpose and meaning in their lives
• Exhibiting indicators of chemical dependency
• Abusing drugs and/or alcohol

The typical student candidate for In Balance Ranch Academy needs help, but often denies, resists and rejects help. Our students come to our program from other treatment settings such as wilderness, other residential placements, and/or outpatient clinics.

In these environments, they have started to understand the nature of their self-damaging behaviors and may recognize what is necessary for recovery. Our program provides them with the skills to continue that journey. We find that these students have benefited from the other programs and there is now both knowledge and readiness for them to achieve dramatic gains while in our program.

Red Flags: Warning Signs You Must Not Ignore!

The following feelings you experience as well as behaviors and attitudes you observe in your son are signs that he may have serious, even life-threatening problems. If this list defines, or even suggests, your child, you should immediately seek the help and advice of a professional such as a member of the clergy, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

If Your Teen:

• Appears to be masking evidence of drug use with excessive use of cologne or gum
• Suddenly changes friends, and you get a bad feeling about them or your teen won't let you meet them
• Loses all interest in school and his grades plummet
• Runs away frequently, sometimes for days at a time
• Significantly changes his or her sleeping and/or eating patterns
• Exhibits a "don't-give-a-damn" attitude
• Spends hours and hours at the computer — especially on the Internet or playing violent video games
• Suddenly loses interest in everything
• Displays sudden bursts of violence or rage
• Changes his or her behavior toward the family pet or other animals
• Writes dark, depressing poetry or songs or draws pictures depicting death, suicide, and/or violence

Or If You:

• Find that money and/or jewelry is missing or that the liquor cabinet is empty
• Feel your gut flip every time you talk to your son
• Feel that nothing makes sense any more
• Find drug paraphenalia (rolling papers, pipes, straws, razor blades)

Get help immediately. Do not ignore, excuse, rationalize, or justify these important warning signs! Call us at 1-877-304-3329 if you feel that the above describes your son.