i feel like im going crazy

[Antigen]

Any of these supposed indications of substance abuse can be indications of many different things. Some of them, like new friends, need for privacy and mood swings, are a natural, normal part of adolescence. Others, like anger toward parents and others' opinions of them, can be indications that the parents or others are way off base.

All of these questions are worthless as diagnostic criteria because they're all subjective and based on what the parents think.

But, according to AARC (and, Newton and Barker, etc) the only explanation for a kid who's parents are frightened of their becoming addicts is that they are, indeed, addicts. And the only solution is AARC (or the Program under whatever corporate name)

That's just too simplistic for anyone who wasn't raised in an aboriginal village under the authority of a witch doctor to really accept. Sorry, life's not that simple.

My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right.
-- Ashleigh Brilliant

[Anonymous]

These signs can be indications of other things, but what is a parent supposed to do? Wait and see? My assessment in AARC took 4 hours. I was in on assessments that took an entire day, and sometimes weeks. Some clents are referred after assessments in jail, the psych ward and by private therapists. Parents are the first line of observation. No one is asking them to make a diagnosis!

You talk about what AARC is doing without first hand knowledge. How would you assess if a child is addicted?

[Antigen]

Yeah, it took them a good 4 hours to break me down and get me to sign, too. I didn't believe the 'two week evaluation' lie, but I did believe they could get a 2 year court order and that I could get out faster than that by one way or another.

I would determine addiction in a child or adult by observing physical withdrawal symptoms. And I would suggest treatment by a licensed medical professional who would come up w/ a plan for withdrawal or maintainance. Also, lots of accurate education about the drug to which they're addicted and the withdrawal methods and drugs from a variety of sources.

But locking someone down w/ a bunch of zealots who think teenagers who try different fashions, make new friends and need privacy like a toddler needs their binker are all addicts and who 'treat' this alleged addiction through shaming and isolation is just .... medieval.

Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest.
Anonymity Anonymous
Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.

[Anonymous]

On 2004-11-07 08:40:00, Antigen wrote:

"Yeah, it took them a good 4 hours to break me down and get me to sign, too. I didn't believe the 'two week evaluation' lie, but I did believe they could get a 2 year court order and that I could get out faster than that by one way or another.



I would determine addiction in a child or adult by observing physical withdrawal symptoms. And I would suggest treatment by a licensed medical professional who would come up w/ a plan for withdrawal or maintainance. Also, lots of accurate education about the drug to which they're addicted and the withdrawal methods and drugs from a variety of sources.



But locking someone down w/ a bunch of zealots who think teenagers who try different fashions, make new friends and need privacy like a toddler needs their binker are all addicts and who 'treat' this alleged addiction through shaming and isolation is just .... medieval.<

Let me add to that, dear Anonymous AARC supporter.
In Alberta:
1.  If they threatened you with a 2 year court order be aware that you cannot get a court order to lock someone under the age of eighteen up for ANY reason without:
a) Proceedings under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (formerly the YOA)
or
b)Proceedings under the Child Youth & Family Enhancement Act (formerly the Child Welfare Act)
and EVEN THEN you MUST be advised of your right to counsel and you MUST be taken before the judge who will conduct a hearing before giving such an order.
2.    Under the Criminal Law, you are unlikely to be locked up for that length of time without a trial or a lengthy assessment by the Forensic Assessment people unless you've committed a really heinous crime.  Drug "addiction" if such it is, is not treated that way by the courts.
3.   Under Child Welfare Law, the procedure for Secure Treatment is to first get a 24 hr. Secure Treatment Certificate, then back to court with a PSYCHIATRIST'S report and an order can be got for 30 days which used to be extended to a MAXIMUM of 90 days.  In all of these proceedings you have to be provided with a lawyer either on your application to Legal Aid or with one appointed by the Court
4.  Under the new Child, Family & Youth Enhancement Act the MOST you can be in Secure Treatment, WITH a court order is 30 DAYS.
5.   If you are being kept under lock and key without your consent (and who would consent if they had been informed of the above facts?) you are being kept unlawfully.  
6.   If you are being kept confined without a Court Order and you have consented because you were told you did not have any rights, you may have been unlawfully confined, and you should seek a lawyer for advice at the first opportunity.  
7.    If you have been kept confined against your will and you have Status under the Child Family & Youth Enhancement Act or the Child Welfare Act, you should contact your Child Welfare worker and request that you be taken to Legal Aid as you want to have a lawyer.  If your Child Welfare worker tells you that you do not need a lawyer, she(he) is lying.

8.  If you run and are 15 or under, the police will return you to your Guardian, and I understand from an AARC grad that the police have been known to return kids to AARC.  If you were to find yourself in that position, you should ask the police officer to allow you to speak to a lawyer.  If he refuses, keep a note of his name, rank and serial number for future reference.

[Anonymous]

On 2004-11-07 08:40:00, Antigen wrote:

"Yeah, it took them a good 4 hours to break me down and get me to sign, too. I didn't believe the 'two week evaluation' lie, but I did believe they could get a 2 year court order and that I could get out faster than that by one way or another.

"break me down?" I was begging for help! If they were to send me home, my next step was the depositing of a local drug dealer in a large hole in a secluded place! No - one court ordered, coerced, threatened me or made me do anything against my will. I was offered treatment, and that night went to Dr. Vause's house were I had dinner with his family. I chose not to go home to the house I rented and the life that was killing me. 12 years later I am grateful I did make the first mature, responsible decision in years.

[Antigen]

Then you're the exception to the rule. Most of these kids, like the one who started this thread, don't need any kind of intervention to begin with. And nobody needs shaming and isolation. Give yourself a little credit here. You decided to clean yourself up. You chose AARC as the magical talisman to help you do that. You probably would have had a much easier time of it if you had had real therapy instead.

So you're one tough sob, congratulations. But your salvation doesn't excuse the harm done to innocent others. Sorry. Glad you're ok now, but you're not that special.

God did not reward men for being honest, generous and brave, but for the act of faith. Without faith, all the so-called virtues were sins. and the men who practiced these virtues, without faith, deserved to suffer eternal pain.
--

[Anonymous]

Anonymous AARC supporter said:
"break me down?" I was begging for help! If they were to send me home, my next step was the depositing of a local drug dealer in a large hole in a secluded place! No - one court ordered, coerced, threatened me or made me do anything against my will. I was offered treatment, and that night went to Dr. Vause's house were I had dinner with his family. I chose not to go home to the house I rented and the life that was killing me. 12 years later I am grateful I did make the first mature, responsible decision in years."

That's fine, if your stay in AARC was voluntary and continued to be voluntary.

But what is the concern on this site is that the methodology and "breaking down" of individuals is cult-like and an abrogation of free will.
Put another way, the question is whether or not you are free to leave at any time.  If you are not, or if you are threatened with any sort of consequence if you do leave means you are imprisoned.  

It is of particular interest as to how old you were when you first went into AARC, also, when you talk of home, where were your parents?  What was their role?  What were they like? Why had you gotten into drugs in the first place?  What's your explanation of why your behaviour was so out of control?  How did your parents react to your use of drugs?  What drugs did you use?  Why did you graduate from one drug to another while others didn't?

It's amazing to me how people can set something up as "the answer"  to things where "the problem" or "the question" has never been properly defined.

American literature is replete with examples of how  different groups have "the answer".  Think of it this way.

"X" is the answer where "X" may be ---

Christ, George Bush, Mahatma Ghandi, The Democrats, The Liberals, Socialism, behaviour modification, AARC, ELAN,  Kids of North Jersy,  The Mormon Church, The Angel Moroney, "DR." Vause.

Until you can convince me what your problem was, or what the question was, I fail to be convinced that AARC is a legitimate "answer" to anything.

You can do nothing to explain why AARC methodology worked with you until you can explain what was really going on with you prior to your involvement.  And even then I question.  It's amazing how easily some people can be convinced they are "spiraling out of control" when in fact they are suffering typical adolescent turmoil.  Sure, a small proportion do, and in extreme cases coercion is necessary.  But that coercion must at all times be with the full and complete respect for the rights of that individual, due process and the rule of Law. No-one should be tricked into consenting to something they don't fully understand

Would you really have killed a drug dealer?

[Anonymous]

That's fine, if your stay in AARC was voluntary and continued to be voluntary.



But what is the concern on this site is that the methodology and "breaking down" of individuals is cult-like and an abrogation of free will.

Put another way, the question is whether or not you are free to leave at any time.  If you are not, or if you are threatened with any sort of consequence if you do leave means you are imprisoned.  



It is of particular interest as to how old you were when you first went into AARC, also, when you talk of home, where were your parents?  What was their role?  What were they like? Why had you gotten into drugs in the first place?  What's your explanation of why your behaviour was so out of control?  How did your parents react to your use of drugs?  What drugs did you use?  Why did you graduate from one drug to another while others didn't?



Would you really have killed a drug dealer?     "

My parents had given me the choice of treatment at a government facility when I was 16. They discovered I was dealing drugs from their home. My mother, father and step-father were all psychologists. They mother and step-father are extremely caring, generous and intelligent people. They provided a good home. My older brother got me using drugs and drinking when I was quite young.I was very sneaky as a kid, and when I started smoking dope regularly at age 12 my parents had no idea. My grades were excellent, I could hold a conversation with anyone. I stole money, broke into cars and homes, and started selling dope at age 14. I used cannabis, LSD, cocaine, opiates, perscription drugs, alcohol, mushrooms. When I was 16 I was investigated for kidnapping and extorsion of a customer who ripped me off. I was charged and convicted at 17 for assault with a weapon, B&E to commit assault and weapons offences. At 20 I was convicted of 9 drugs and weapons offences. My crime of choice besides dealing drugs was home invasion to steal marijuana crops. Moving to harder drugs was a simple choice - softer ones were not as potent, and harder ones were readily available.I was 21 when I entered AARC. I had been through individual and family counselling before leaving home. I conned and manupulated counsellors and police easily.

Shortly before entering AARC, my crime partner and I had targeted a supplier to my main connection. We knew his residence, his patterns and roughly how much money and drugs he would have. Because he knew me reasonably well, I was not going to take thge risk of living him alive.

I was free to leave AARC at any time. Instead, I chose to stay, went back to living with my parent after an almost 6 year absence, regained their respect, became a good citizen and have a nice family and career of my own. I could certainly have used help as early as 12 years old, and was lucky to get it at 21.

I hope that answers your questions.

[sara]

hey
 i recently started useing again as well my mother and her side of the family still think im sober i no its hard becouse you might b  scared about what ur mom and ddad may think about u.  I hate lying but i dont nol wut else to do.  Aldo i am doing alright 2 even though i am useing. i think maybe they jus try to scare us into not useing.  i dont know much but i do no i no wut your going through cuz ui am 2.

[Anonymous]

I don't come here much, but this is probably the best thread I've come across.  I don't feel that bashing AARC will help us to feel better, but this site can be a good source of support for some people.
I 'relapsed' a year after I graduated and i know exactly how scared and lonely some of you feel.  My parents kicked me out and I lived in homeless shelters for a couple of months until they decided that they were ok with me drinking again.  
I know that I'm not an addict, and I'm pretty sure that a lot of people who go through AARC aren't.  Every year that goes by, I become more and more sure that A.A. is not where I belong.  With that said, I also believe that some people who go into AARC are addicts.  A lot of people on this site fight about whether AARC saves or destroys kids' lives, but that probably depends on whether or not you truly needed a year and a half of intensive rehabilitation.
I don't think that AARC destroyed my life, but I definitely don't think it saved it. Nobody has to agree with me-- I just want those graduates who posted here to know that they are not the first (and probably not the last) AARC grads who think that they might be able to live happy and productive lives without A.A.

[Anonymous]

hey guys keep up the great work.  this is the funniest stuff that i hve read in a long time.  should think about doing stand up.  antigen has got to be the funniest...love reading your posts.  by the way i would be another exception to the norm so know there are two...oh no could there be more...then what of your arguements...maybe even the majority are as you class exceptions...but we will see...look forward to the reply should be great for a late night laugh!!!!!!!

[Antigen]

Denial is the first symptom  :rofl:

Revelation indeed had no weight with me.
--Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father, author, and inventor

[Anonymous]

Hi have been sitting here reading these posts over for awhile. there very interesting. first off yes the so called AARC people do have tendancy to belittle the so called aarc surviver people and the aarc survivor people are really good at pointing out the littleist mistake and smallist amount of anamosity that was made or directed at them. i stumbled on to this site well searching for research on a paper i am doing on drug addiction. i found it very disturbing we have to groups of people attaching each other over the internet. one says one thing then the other another thing and next thing you know theres a whole bunch of pages of peoples opinions. The fact is that Drug Addiction does excist and alchoholism is a recognized disease by the C.D.C. dont belive me go check out there website its on there. If some people were hurt By the AARC i feel bad for you i really do and i hope that you have taken steps to get perfesional help if you feel thats what you need but there are also some people on here that seem to have been helped and if we belive the AARC survivor group then we would have to belive the AARC group and they say there life is good. so i belive that eny one who sees this sight should check it out for them selves i called The AARC and there secratary talked to me for a few minutes and they also directed me to there website which was also very informative. so go check  it out for your self because as far as i can see there are to sides mad at each other and not one of the sides is being compleatly honest. The only thing that scares me here is that some one who does need help will see this and website and be scared off from the AARC which as it sounds like could help some people. So investigate it your self and draw your own conclution keeping in mind that there are some people who have felt wronged adn hurt by it but also meny who have felt helped and cared about.

[Anonymous]

so i am the one who started this thread.  i feel good about the responses i have recieved although i still feel lonely alot of the time.  i am still hiding the fact that i am drinking from family and the people that i know from AARC.  i want nothing more than to be honest about about everything, but is is deffinitly not an option.  i fear that i will have to lie about this for ever.  the trouble comes when this lie comes out.  i will loose my family that is my biggest fear.  but if i didnt have to lie about drinking in the first place, then i wouldnt have anything to hide and nothing to fear. unfortuntaly this is not the case.
everything in my life is going smoothly. i am doing very well in school i get honours as a matter of fact.  i live on my own, have a job, have some people in my life too.
but because of AARC i feel that one day this is all going to be taken away from if i continue to drink.  i cant get the thoughts of AARC out of my head. again, it feels pretty crazy.
i just feel this huge battle all the time.  does it ever stop?
will i have to hide my secret for ever?
i dont evjoy hanging out with the sober people from AARC but i am made to feel that is a very wrong thing to do.  i have fun with other people ,but i still feel torn.
so i think ive done enough talking in circles here, so thanks for letting me share. ::  ::  ::

[Anonymous]

I drink every day.  I don't feel guilty about it.  It's not a sin.  I know that if I have more than two drinks in a 24 hr period, I will damage my liver over time and that I can also damage brain cells.  That's called neuro-toxicity.  Occasionally I do have more than two drinks and as a result I will then take a "holiday" for the next day or two.  I do not drive after drinking.  
What I do not understand is that you seem to think that you are abusing.  Perhaps I can understand better if you tell us what it is about your drinking that makes you feel that you are doing something wrong.  What makes you think you are losing control?
Are you really losing control?