"Overcoming My Drug Addiction Was Finally Possible With The Help Of Beartooth Mt Ascent"

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 22, 2008 – My name is Trey Ripma and I am 22 years old.  I am from Florida and I came to Beartooth Mt. Ascent because I was involved in drugs, violence, women and guns.  Being from Florida, cocaine was everywhere.  I started doing it for fun and then it became a habit.  I stopped working because it was hard for me to work when I was high, and also because I made enough money dealing drugs to support my addiction.  I was ashamed of the things I was doing, but couldn’t stop.  It caused me to stop talking to my family and I was never around to help out.  I also went to jail a number of times and to rehab twice.

My addiction frustrated me because I was always a smart and hard working guy, but I still couldn’t stop using.  I came to Beartooth Mt. Ascent  right after I finished a 3 month wilderness program, and now I never want to leave.  I have learned so much here.  I have regained my self dignity and can finally call myself a good man.  I got back my work ethic and have learned how to have fun again without drugs.  The Schneider’s and some of the staff, I consider my family.  They are so cool here, I can talk to them about anything.  I also have a great relationship with my family.  I have realized how my drug use affected them, and I am greatly sorry for how I treated them.  And, I can say that it will never happen again.

I have also learned how to rope, ride and work cows in almost any situation.  I have saved baby calves’ lives and that really feels awesome.  I have let go of my pride, my addiction, dishonesty, carelessness, disobedience, selfishness, anger, resentments, laziness and my old life.  All that has taken a year and I still have lots of work to do.

The best I saved for last, and that is my relationship with God and my belief in His word.  I could not have come this far without God and that is why I am so thankful for Beartooth Mt. Ascent.  You can’t help but hear about God and the Bible.  It’s awesome because if I didn’t have that I would probably still have a bad attitude and a craving to keep using.  Just being involved in God’s word has changed my thinking from the glass is half empty to the glass is half full.  I used to freak out in bad situations or rough times, but now I thank God and trust Him to get me through them and make me spiritually stronger.  If you want your son to become a man, this is the place for him.  If it could help me, it could help anyone.