Graduates’ Perceptions on How “Teen Challenge Alberta” Influenced Them: A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

In this constructivist grounded theory study, I examine the experiences of nine adult men who graduated from the faith-based drug treatment program Teen Challenge Alberta. Each of the men had been in the program for at least 12-18 months, and each of them had unique life-changing experiences there. As they described hundreds of facets of the program, I noted four basic elements that, together, helped each man change his life and achieve his goals: the structure of the program, his relationships with others, his experiences of God, and his individual initiative to make changes. Those elements helped each gain a new perspective and take on new values that gave purpose and meaning to his life. The men translated their new values into action by living their lives in a different way: helping others and becoming role-models. Their comments about their experiences suggest that Teen Challenge Alberta goes beyond treating drug addiction. It concentrates on shaping a man’s character, which leads to many different outcomes, only one of which is recovery from substance abuse.