| An exciting Twelve Step immersion program, one that provides a new continuing care service and fills a special need in the continuum of care, is slated to begin in March at Hazelden in Center City, Minn.
Known as "The Lodge at Hazelden" and based at the Renewal Center, this residential program is not a substitute for Hazelden primary treatment, nor is it a substitute for our Renewal Center program. The Lodge is for individuals who have experienced stable recovery, but who either because of a brief relapse or a disruptive life experience, need to get back on track with their Twelve Step program. Fred Holmquist, the former director of Clinical Services at Hazelden New York, has returned to Center City to head this new program. "This program is not just for people who are struggling, but for those who want more or feel stuck in recovery," said Holmquist, who has 20 years of experience at Hazelden. "Someone may have significant time in recovery, but may have strayed from what has worked for them. The program is for people who have a spiritual hunger--people who know there's more and are looking for an environment where one's spiritual path can be better defined through action." Holmquist said the program is not clinical. It is educational, experiential and, most of all, spiritual. "It's for the person who wants to further explore the spiritual possibilities of a sober life," he added. "This is a dream job for me," said Holmquist. "It's an ideal match of my skills and my passion. I love to teach, and I will be a lifelong student of the Twelve Steps." Prior to rejoining Hazelden a year ago, Holmquist ran a spiritual retreat in Montana and served as program director for three years at High Watch Farm, the oldest AA-based residential program in the nation. High Watch Farm, in Kent, Conn., was established in 1940 by AA cofounder Bill W. and Marty Mann. There are no "admission criteria" for the new Twelve Step immersion program. However, appropriate participants will have demonstrated a reasonable level of motivation and interest in the pursuit of recovery, experienced a "stable" period of recovery, and completed primary treatment with a satisfactory discharge. For more information about this program, call (800) 257-7810. Published in The Voice, Summer 2002 The Hazelden Voice is published twice yearly by Hazelden. Direct your inquiries to email@hazelden.org or call 1-800-257-7810. All material copyright by Hazelden Foundation. |
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