Considering the fact that I am not,nor never have been, a drug addict nor alcoholic,who cares?Straight's greatest crime,in my eyes,was orienting their clients/victims/patients to believe that they were hooked on drugs and/or alcohol when it was a known lie for 90% of said people.I said known lie because Straight's directors knew this to be true.How can any form of therapy be positive when it's based on a lie?Let me explain it's damage, instead.
When my mother signed me into Straight,I was almost seventeen years old(almost 30 years ago).I had just ran off for the first and last time.I was definitely a teen with serious issues.My drug use was moderate and decreasing by this time.By slamming this "you're a druggie,that's the problem"warehoused bullshit in my head,they literally forced me to ignore the real issues in my life.They totally took away my periphery to confront my true demons by planting this artificial one in me,crippling my chances of coming to terms with them at a later date.Many of those issues that were haunting that sixteen-year old thirty years ago are just being dealt with recently,many with the help of these forums.Most of the credit goes to my commitment to being a loving a caring father which these demons were impairing that.Maybe love won't conquer all,but at least it's giving me a fighting chance.
I refuse to villify any former victims/clients/patients who became staff members later on because they only reacted to the same abuse that we did in a different way.While Wanda Minton was indeed a vicious bitch as a staff member,I remember when staff forced her to hot box a pack of Kools for stealing one of her mother's cigarettes.Reading 85DJ's post started me to wonder why my program took so long,now I realize,they might have needed my stepfather to supply the trucks to help them change buildings one more time free of charge(I was in three of them)and of course,he was always there to lend a hand,especially if it kept me away.
I don't carry any grudges.I'm just grateful to have the chance to clear this stuff up.Some people die never facing this stuff.I easily could have.Now it's time to fix this old machine for real,as best as I can.
Well said!
I must admit I have not followed this post. However, I know "Sam Kinison", and so that sparked an interest. Saying, "
How can any form of therapy be positive when it's based on a lie?" echoes one of my pet ponderings. Which is, how can a student learn from a teacher whom they are affraid of? It's absurd...Then have the gall to attach the word "theraphy" to the moronic premise. Confrontive theraphy (abuse) which we all endured, undoubtably left scares in scores of other people...I am not immune from them. Think of those ya see on the Discovery Channel, with a huge ass chunk taken out of thier leg...(by a shark or sumpin). They are usually very humble folks, they will say they have tremendious respect for the shark....blah blah blah...Point being I have no respect for the "treatment/theraphy".
The scares (sp...spell and feel like an idiot....hate when I can't remember how to spell the simple words) are as real as those of the flesh and just as disfiguring. Ya seem to have picked up on that there Sam! Ya learned skills or I should say a "skill set", we cant kid ourselves here. I think it takes big balls to aquire new skills and to abide in that. Those "skill sets" are, unfortunaitly(sp, errrr), are most damaging to those we hold near and dear...they can catch the brunt of it. I think other relationships suffer, as does employment and many other facets of our lives. I applaud ya there "Sam"....Welcome to hell....ya know what I mean.
They totally took away my periphery to confront my true demons by planting this artificial one in me,crippling my chances of coming to terms with them at a later date.
Yup...me to
I refuse to villify any former victims/clients/patients who became staff members later on because they only reacted to the same abuse that we did in a different way.
In my experience, that has waxed and wained...it comes and goes. I suppose the operative word being "villify". I am a peacefull sorta guy, I like to engage in discussion and generally not affraid to get my nose bloody and I am not affraid to be wrong, and admit when I am in the wrong. So, that in mind I am going about scanning the board here at fornits and the name, Les*i*le Pet*ro flashed on screen....I was suddenly, unabashedly enraged an lashed out. I was pissed off all day. I wasnt upset that she
"became staff members later on because they only reacted to the same abuse that we did in a different way"....No!, I was pissed for the person she was, who exploited thier "power" without encouragment from an adoring staff of the same caliber. Her particular venimous manner set the tone for sooo many girls....to succed, hate and scream.
Really, there is no justifacation for that rationale....scores of people were afraid.....terrrified...of her in no small degree....and this was theapeutic how? Trembling patients/clients infront of a raving staff member is wrong...no wiggle room here...it's just plain wrong to encourage and promote this treatment of people. Sure, it can be argured that she was a pawn, as so many others were. But that argument doesnt hold water when examined on a personal level. And yes, this is rage/anger towards one person and is specific to her. I have other levels of emotion directed at others, but few bring the blood pressure up like the mention of her name.
don't carry any grudges.I'm just grateful to have the chance to clear this stuff up.Some people die never facing this stuff.I easily could have.Now it's time to fix this old machine for real,as best as I can.
By default, I think thats good...not to cary grudges. And yezzzz we are becoming old machines....modifacations need be made, no doubt... It ain't gonna happen over night. I suspect, ya want change and y want it now...yet, truth be told, this shit about Straight Inc comes out in drips and drabs....sometimes it seems worse before it gets better.....and then there are times when it seems no ground has been covered at all....I attribute this to the lingering affects of Straight Inc.
In responce to the guestion of sobriety...eh... By definition, the word "sober" is defined by Websters as:
1 a : sparing in the use of food and drink : ABSTEMIOUS b : not addicted to intoxicating drink c : not drunk
2 : marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor
3 : UNHURRIED, CALM
4 : marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness
5 : subdued in tone or color
6 : showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice
By that definition, yes...I am "sober". So what? I am "sober" by definition, not becuse of Straight Inc. I am "sober" not because of any wish-craft or 12step gimmics. I am "sober" cuz I don't drink, pretty simple really.
All in all a moot question...had the question been phrased differently....
In Peace
woof