Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Seed Discussion Forum

Should these types of Programs exist at all?

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marshall:
Last week while sitting in the hospital waiting room (awaiting the birth of my grandson) I had an interesting conversation with an old friend of my daughter's. They've known one another since jr. high. We were discussing a tv character addicted to prescription drugs and she began telling me about her own personal drug ordeal. She'd never been into drugs as a teen (she's around 30 now).  A few years ago, she and her present husband began using cocaine. What began as occasional use quickly escalated into an expensive habit. They did the powder and smoked crack as well. Neither of them are what you might picture when you think of  crackheads. Both are professional, middle-class parents. She said they eventually maxed out all of  their credit cards purchasing drugs and partying with friends. They live close-by and her parents noticed something was wrong with her but had no idea what.

After a couple of years they reached rock bottom (pun intended) and realized they needed help. She went to her mother and confided in her...told her that she and her husband were addicted to crack and wanted help. Her parents didn't call any 12-step programs or detox centers. With a strong determination to free themselves from drugs and the loving support of her parents they were able to completely stop using and turn their lives around. They stopped hanging out with their old crowd and found new friends that didn't use coke. (this is when she renewed her friendship with our daughter)  They've been straight for 3 years now and finally dug themselves out of the financial hole. I was impressed with her story. They wanted to stop using coke and did. No steps, no slogans, no moral inventories, no reprogramming or counter-conditioning. No megalomaniacal ideas of taking over the world or forcing everyone to think the same. All freewill and no coercion. Nor do I believe they are the exception. Most people that want to stop taking drugs or find that they can't handle drinking make the necessary changes themselves.
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"Drugs are bad...mmmm...OK?"
---Mr. Mackey / Southpark teacher

GregFL:
They do Marshall but  some don't. I really think some people need some kind of rehabilitation because they have compulsive personality disorder and need someone to basically hold their hand thru the recovery process.  Voluntary AA, NA, etc seems to work for some even tho the techniques used seem superficial and downright deceitfull to me.

That doesn't describe the majority of people however, nor does it excuse locking people up ( or even worse..children) in mass quantities and telling them that without their captivity they would be dead, insane or injail or eventuall hopeless addicts and indoctrinating these people to the level that they believe this self-serving lie.

Anonymous:
Ginger
   Do you still live in Monessen, PA?

marshall:
Sure, most people probably need some form of hand-holding or help and support to kick a habit like that. The woman I mentioned also had the help of a loving family. I wonder if more intensive programs like the Seed function as a substitute family for those from highly dysfunctional families that are unable to offer help with their abuse problem. I wonder if there's a correlation between those who are especially supportive of the Seed and family dysfunction? (Obviously 'dysfunction' is a relative term with no clear lines) I never felt that my own family was crazy or dysfunctional at all. I think this is one reason I didn't simply reject the core values and personality that I was given by my parents to embrace the 'family' of the seed and it's values. That may be one factor that kept me from fully "getting it"...thank goodness. Nor do I think it's a coincidence that those from troubled families tend to be more prone to join cults of various sorts. I can see where any sort of structured family group (like the seed) might be what some people need. But like real families, I think the healthiest "kids" are those that eventually grow-up and differentiate themselves as individuals. Even J.U. seems to meet that criteria, though he may not think so. His rejection of lybbi and art's control was probably a positive move for him. Robin, Ja long and others have mentioned that even though the seed helped them it was just as necessary to grow up and beyond the seed as well...in order to become balanced individuals. Just wish we as a society could come up with some rehab model or substitute family that didn't involve the type of thought-reform and coercion these progams embrace.

I know a guy that left his wife and child and joined a 'pro-drug' cult a few years ago. This group also spouted wonderful, uplifting ideals and lots of 'love'. He felt that he'd found his true home and real family. (meant to be here?) It was headed by a charismatic father figure that no one dared criticize or judge. After nearly a year of involvment this guy began to see thru the group's b.s. and became disillusioned. He finally left and returned to his family. After months of counseling he seems to be doing well now. I've read some message boards with their members and ex-members arguing back and forth much like they do here. Some defending the group and leader while others try to convince them of it's harm. Same old story whether it's an anti-drug cult or drug cult, it seems.

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