56 posts shown.
Sam Hall15 said:I was under the impression that a guardian angel stays for six months...
In my view, everyone participates in prayer, without exception...
From what I understand, the communes that have proven most successful are those with a religious foundation... and based on the experiences of those recovering, they often say that prayer was precisely what helped them the most.
It’s three months... (I know because I have two close friends currently in there)
You don't *have* to pray... but while everyone else is praying, you're busy working... (and honestly, if you spend all your time working while the others are praying, you might end up being the one stuck doing all the heavy lifting when they eventually become the majority)
If everyone's agreeing that prayer was their biggest help...
mellowjackal33 said:That whole thing about the three-month "guardian angel" is spot on. People going through rehab are incredibly fragile—honestly, they're pretty vulnerable—and what kind of government agency is ever going to provide that level of care? Not a chance. Without that support, it’s way too easy to slide right back into old habits. Even if having that "angel" hovering over you feels a bit much sometimes, it’s a brilliant and necessary move. 👍
If someone struggling with addiction says this helped them most, it's because that guardian angel is there to tap you on the shoulder when you start slipping. For those three months, if you try to dodge the responsibilities they've set for you, that presence steps in to fill the gap. Put simply, for ninety days, they're basically your shadow...
Sam Hall15 said:It varies by community; some require you to wait until after the withdrawal phase, while others allow entry sooner. That said, staying clean for at least three weeks before joining is generally recommended. In places that accept people during active withdrawal, they often isolate you until the crisis passes, sometimes even administering medication during those first few days... I’m not entirely sure what specific meds, but that’s what I heard... Some faith-based communities have psychologists on staff who coordinate with psychiatrists to determine necessary dosages...
As for prayer, it's a universal part of the program, so you’ll physically need to be present for every session... whether you actually pray or not is up to you. I found it quite striking when I heard that even Muslims participate in Catholic prayers... though from what they told me, they didn't mind at all. Besides, they still have free time to practice their own faith, and the community provides its own copies of the Quran and such...
I don't know much about other facilities, just the ones started by Elizabeth... they don't use any meds there. And if you don't want to pray, you'll just end up doing chores or something similar instead. You don't get much sleep either. In the beginning, you're assigned a "guardian angel" for the first three months who stays by your side 24/7. You always have a job to do, and you're never allowed to be alone... like, at all.
brightgardener40 said:A young woman from an earlier thread was using him for a few months. When she finally checked into rehab, she had to be clean... (I won't even get into how much of a nightmare that process was)
I don't get this part. She has to be clean before entering rehab?😕 If she could actually quit on her own, she wouldn't need a facility in the first place. And here's another thing—they expect you to have healthy teeth too. Most addicts have trashed teeth, it's obvious. I'm honestly surprised by their entry requirements for these programs.
Look, it’s not just about surviving the physical withdrawal and saying you're "done" with addiction... you actually have to kill that craving for heroin once and for all...
And apparently, you also have to show up sober with a Hollywood smile...
In places like Lourdes, they’ve got dental chairs and all the gear, but you can only see a dentist if one of the pilgrims happens to be a doctor.
slywolf45 said:I couldn't agree more. I know people get uncomfortable being in a faith-based group if they aren't believers, but nobody is forcing you to subscribe to any specific doctrine. Your primary mission is to get clean, and they are definitely equipped to help you with that. That’s really the only thing that matters right now.
Forget about trying to manage with methadone or similar stuff; it’s clearly a dead end.
Like I mentioned before, while they're busy praying, if you don't want to join in, you can just find something else to do. No big deal...
In the end, you'll come out the other side as a
former addict—happier, more fulfilled, and actually knowing how to handle life's curveballs.
Plus, both you and your kid will walk away having mastered at least two languages (and we're talking fluency here). When you look at the career opportunities this opens up, it’s pretty clear this path offers things you just won't find anywhere else.
) Subutex is definitely addictive...
Look, like I’ve mentioned before, I actually have a family member struggling with heroin addiction...
After a massive uphill battle and getting treatment through Sakoman, they finally moved into a recovery community...
It was my cousin, his wife, and their one-year-old kid.
The grandparents had already been granted custody, but once the mom finally agreed to go into rehab (her husband went in first), she knew the baby would be coming to stay with her in a few months—so now the little one is with her.
My dad sees the kid at every visit (he doesn't see her as often, things aren't great there), and once both of them are ready, all three of them can live together in the community...
Also, just so you know, being religious isn't a requirement there. Nobody is forcing you to pray; while others are praying, you can just do your own thing.
I’ve spent time in a couple of those houses, so I’ve seen how it works firsthand.
It’s a good setup; if you actually put in the work to get clean, you avoid a lifetime of misery and get to be with your child.
As for Subutex, anyone claiming it isn't addictive is straight-up lying...
I knew this young woman from the thread above who was on it for a few months, and when she headed to the recovery center, she had to be totally detoxed... (and trust me, you don't want to hear about the hell she went through)
Look, I know you’re probably going to lose it when you read this, but I’d seriously suggest looking at other options...
if you head straight to Narcotics Anonymous, they’re just going to push methadone or some kind of blocker on you, and honestly, it feels like a wash—it's all the same thing, right?
Instead, look into joining a recovery community. That way, you actually have a real shot at getting clean and being there for your kid full-time. I know you might be thinking that's out of the question, but do you really want your child growing up watching their mom struggle with addiction and eventually following in those same footsteps?...
I truly think it's worth considering....
If you have any questions, just reach out..
brightgardener40 said:A year ago, I got a notice from OSHA about taking some workplace safety exams. They basically said if I don't do it, I'll have to hire an outside firm to handle everything just to avoid getting slapped with a fine. Now I'm looking for some real-world feedback. Has anyone actually dealt with this? If you took the exam, how much did it set you back and is it actually difficult?
To me, the whole thing smells like a shakedown.
Well, we didn't get it sorted out in time, so an inspector showed up at our job site and filed a report...
basically saying we weren't properly trained for safe work and that we should expect a court summons...
So, we went ahead and did the medical checkups and paid an outside agency to "certify" us and put together an occupational safety plan... roughly $1333..
Then the court summons arrived, we handed over all the paperwork, and now we're just waiting...
Hard? Please. You just cough up the cash and you don't actually have to do anything... assuming you've actually got the money to burn.
Gluizing some boxes... making about 70 cents a pop
then I landed a gig as a quality inspector for those same boxes
sold ice cream
moved furniture
and now, two years in, I'm finally working as an accountant
Robert Murphy8 said:Exactly. People are inherently selfish. We act kind because we expect something in return—it's standard operating procedure. Personally, I don't do things for others out of pure altruism; I do them so they'll be grateful and pay it forward. Anyone claiming they're a "saint" or a "pure soul" is lying through their teeth. Those are the first ones you'll see lash out. If a person doesn't possess a healthy dose of egoism and self-love, they're fundamentally broken. A little self-interest is actually the foundation of mental health. People who lack it either live miserable lives or end up in some dark place. That's just the logic. Clearly, some people have never learned to love themselves, so they spend their entire lives just trying to please everyone else. It's pathetic.
Look at it this way...
Someone does something to you that really hurts you... then later on, you get the perfect chance to get even. Are you going to take it???
I wouldn't, because then I'd just be becoming exactly like them.
And I wouldn't go crawling back to them demanding they treat me better just because I was nice to them before... I'd just walk away and let them become a complete stranger. They wouldn't mean anything to me anymore.
But I'd sleep pretty soundly knowing I didn't go out of my way to hurt anyone.
Larry Wells2 said:So, I'm writing this because I'm planning on trying drugs for the first time. I'm 17 and a junior in high school. Just a heads-up: don't bother trying to talk me out of it, because I'm going to do this regardless of whatever stupid comments you leave. I guess I've just reached a point where I feel like I've done everything else and I want to try something new. To be clear, I haven't even touched weed yet. I have zero interest in smoking that. But all my friends are into speed now, and now this other friend is pushing us to try cocaine. Money isn't the issue. I'm just stuck on what to actually go with, so I wanted to hear about your experiences. What's the best way to get a real high without being a total zombie for 24 hours? I'm thinking about doing something Saturday night so that by maybe 2 or 3 in the morning on Sunday, I'm somewhat functional, though I still want the experience to actually hit.
Are you freaking kidding me?
Go ahead then, keep tearing your life apart... since you're clearly so set on it.
Robert Murphy8 said:I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks.
I mean, I guess anything is a compliment if you're an idiot...
Maria Gonzalez26 said:Man, I need to stop reading her threads. I feel like I'm sinking too low. Now I'm feeling a bit guilty, even though I don't think I said anything wrong. But honestly, this is probably an argument worth just ignoring for everyone's sake. I like myself too much.😘
Ugh, tell me about it... I deal with that all the time. Thank God I have enough self-control to hold back most of the time. 😍
Hey sweetie, didn't you literally say in your own thread that you weren't cut out for work?