Many of the graduates from this study of Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge come to the program with a substance use disorder going back decades. In other words, they have been treated for 25-40 years prior to coming to MNTC. Some of them start abusing as early as 10years old. Many by sneaking alcohol from parents who were also abusing alcohol or other drugs, thus providing an example for their children. Children are always watching the adults around them, and when they see mom and dad getting drunk or high, and still able to function enough to put food on the table, the kids think they can too.

Alcohol and other drugs are easy to get if your parents leave them out and don’t pay attention to how much is in the bottle or how many cans are in the refrigerator.

Those adults who come to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge are coming to get sober, and all those in this study have graduated from alcohol to drugs like methamphetamines, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs mixed with alcohol. One graduate said, “I started with alcohol at 13, then moved to marijuana and cocaine.” He added that “the cocaine would wake him up from his drunken stupor to the point that he believed that he was able to drive a car.”

Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge is the only program that has worked for these clients. Some went through as many as 12 other treatment programs in 20 years before coming to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge and finding a program that has helped them get sober and stay sober.