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Kevin 12/03/2010 5:08:00 AM
Mark, I just read your articles on Passages and Impact and was impressed with both. I've been in the drug and alcohol field for 29 years provided treatment and running programs and in both articles you seemed to walk into both programs without an agenda. Very nice job!
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Nancy Walsh 10/13/2010 8:55:00 PM
Domenic F saraceno of Southold NY and Owner of Dom's Mobil in Wilminton Ma. has been arrested and gone to jail tho... In York, Ma.so hope no one confuses the two of you!
Your list of 5 things above are still amonst his favorite bad choices as he is to be associated with a sepent or more like a blood sucking creature who prays on women especially to use up and then discard as he never knew them.
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Dutch 12/28/2008 12:57:00 PM
Your funny Mark Groubert! How old are you again? I'm nineteen and lasted a lot longer then your excrutiating three days. It sounds like you quit to me. Maybe you need to go back because "rehab is for quitters," right? The key ingredient missing from your story is simply commitment. Keep coming back, IT WORKS IF YOU WORK IT! "Peace bro"
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Rod 12/01/2008 12:15:00 AM
I now have 38 years of sobriety, one day at a time; all Glory to God! I know hundreds of recovering, (present participle used here on purpose), alcoholics/drug addicts who have been delivered from their "hell on earth." I was never a resident in a rehab. facility and I know very few who have been.
All I can say is that "it takes what it takes." We tend to want to become "experts," but it is difficult, if not impossible to be an expert in God's business.
By far the most successful program of recovery is free -- AA. It goes back to 1935 and works, (if you work it).
God is the deliverer and being omnipotent and omniscient, He can, and does, deliver people from addictions when they surrender.
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Antigen 11/16/2008 1:41:00 AM
Wow! These comments are very telling of the cultic nature of Impact.
First, it's an overall positive article! But your responses are hostile as anything; just can't take any comment that might be even a /little/ critical of your group? That's one aspect of a cultic group. Second and probably most glaring are several comments to the effect that, even though the author is not an addict but went in as an undercover journalist, you guys still think he should have stayed in until he acquired the special insider awareness and understanding that makes it all look good to you? Uhm..... ok..... I guess everybody could use a little of your special brand of prophylactic recovery mojo?
I know just a little bit about this stuff because my family was involved with The Seed and Straight Inc. from the time I was about 5. I started researching these groups about 10 years ago and have come across tons of research, first-hand stories and other useful resources for anyone interested in understanding this phenomena.
Kudos to the author for delving in. Better still for drawing the insiders out into the public view. For years, I bid my tongue (cause I really rather dislike violence and privation, especially being on the receiving end) But I used to think to myself at least daily "Man! (verbotten term in my former cult) if only I could drag these sadistic lunatics out into the more commonly accepted reality to have this 'discussion'..."
Thanks for doing your part to that end.
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edward ungrue 08/22/2008 10:54:00 PM
I have travled through-out the U.S.A. and abroad. I have been blessed with a talent, a career and being employed my entire life. (I am 48 years old) I have had good insurance the entire time. Five years and eight months ago I needed to use my insurance to save my life. I entered IMPACT. I had insurance that would have been accepted at almost every rehab in the country. I chose IMPACT by accident. I just wanted to be near home which was Pasadena, Ca. at the time. In the past 5 years and 8 months (clean and sober) I have been active in the recovery community. I have been around addicts that have attended treatment centers from London to New York and from all of the treatment centers here in California from Betty Ford to Las Encinas. This includes many of the in patient, private pay, full treatment centers to the "jailhouse" outpatient facilities. Since you choose to have the mentality that puts IMPACT in the ladder mentioned treatment center facilities, I will elaborate on my three months of living there to save my life. (not a week-end of being a "normy" in an enviroment that you will never understand.)
I did a regular intake and had to go through an uncomfortable amount of questions and conversation that I thought was inappropriate for me to be answering. My belongings were rumaged through and certain items were taken from my bags. No cell phone, no c.d, do d.v.d., no mini t.v., no cologne, no books that are not recovery related and approved and the list went on. I had packed for a vacation instead of packing for a journey to save my life, which is what happened. What did I know, I have never tried to get clean and sober. I figured that because I was employable(for the time being) I was doing alright. I just knew that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Leading this double life of husband, father, employee and also being an addict-alcoholic consuming vicodin, oxys, any barbituate or opiate available along with a fifth and half of bourbon a day was consuming me. I was ready to leave IMPACT almost as soon as I got there. Because of the reasons you left. Except for one thing....you did not go to save your life....you went to entertain readers and fill your column. Something wasn't right. There were people that were nothing like me......(HA-Ha) They were more like me then anyone in the world that I have ever been around. IMPACT saved my life by treating me the way that you explain was not acceptable. How in the hell should they treat someone that has no respect for life itself. Someone that has no rules except for the rules I made....which were twisted...Anyone with multiple drug and D.U.I. arrests in five different states and has done no serious time in jail because I had the means to stay out of jail needs to be dealt with just like every other addict that wants out of this lifestyle. Firmly and fairly. The paroled addict is no different than the lawyer addict. No different than me. The prop 36 addict is no different than the Hollywood addict except which rehab they choose to attend. There is a difference in how the addict is treated at certain rehabs, at one rehab you pet ponies and watch t.v.in your down time, at IMPACT you clean and follow rules that are set up for you to get ready to go back into the real world to deal with life on lifes terms..12 Steps...pushed on you at IMPACT...the way it should be....What a concept.
I could go on and on....about the different instances you commented on..and about your vision of what is going on is so twisted.....however that will not keep me clean and sober.....letting go of the resentment that I have built up against you for your article is what helps me get another day......One day at a time.....Anytime you would like an interview in person...please feel free to contact me....I have a life today beyond my wildest dreams because of IMPACT...
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E 07/27/2008 9:14:00 PM
Mark, You are funny Mark, interesting pieces on Rehabs. You are a big wussy, though. I would expect more from an L.A. Weekly writer. As a Pasadena native, who started using marijuana in Jr. High (PUSD) and later (in high school and beyond) a habitual user of mind altering substances there is only one cure for addiction; a desire to stop using combined with one addict helping another. I�m educated, have traveled, lived in very demanding environments and my experiences have proven to me again and again, alcoholics and addicts are all missing both a sense of positive self worth and a feeling of alienation. The people attending Promises may just be party scene people (rich and famous) who can�t get enough of the euphoria of drugs, not actually addicts, which is really spiritual deprivation. Drugs can do that. The attendees of Impact due to their long history of trails and tribulations are all probably addicts. They require a desire to stop using (real desire) and the understanding of another addict. All the rehabs, profit or non-profit, have ulterior motives (even Impact), some more than others. Your expos�more than anything show a need for greater law enforcement of drug dealers/importers etc. and more intervention on the behalf of users. Less supply, higher cost, would reduce the incidence first time users considerably. The "pot heads" could still be allowed to grow for personal use, while importation of drugs, the fabrication of synthetic drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs (who many type and how much volume of pain killer medication do the pharmaceutical companies need to sell), should be stopped whole heartedly. Yours truly.
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Joe O. 07/25/2008 2:57:00 AM
Thank God, for the people of Impact, although thats not NA, that place has brought many of lost souls into the rooms of NA, and has saved more then just their lives. I sleep better at night knowing that this place is making a difference in peoples lives, and that Society is a much safer place, because of the changes that take place in "THE LAST HOUSE ON THE HILL"
keep up the great work...
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Old Homo Joe 07/04/2008 8:37:00 PM
I am anxiously looking forward to Mark Groubert's next article where he goes undercover at Der Wienerschnitzel for about three minutes to find out what it's really like to serve hot dogs. It promises to be a real "eye opener." Mazel tov!
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Steven S 07/04/2008 7:14:00 PM
Texas Tom LOL dude I miss your wit. So. Cal Girley Man....C'mon bro....when the hollywood types get involved? Fruits and nuts ala LA
Mr.Sample
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Keith 07/03/2008 10:46:00 PM
you didn't even stay for 24 hours man...I like the article though, it's funny...
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TOM HOLLAND 07/03/2008 3:25:00 AM
from your first few syllables
describing Stillwell as "bikerish" I knew your article was going to a mish mash of bullshit - which it was. Hopefully no one will decide to take Stillwell to court for violating patient confidentiality if he really was complicit in this endeavor.
Also - hopefully an addict seeking recovery that needs Impact's strict style of treatment does not die due to your inaccurate and misleading article. Also - on a personal level - You are a real So. Cal. girley man.
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domenic saraceno jr (yes that 07/02/2008 11:29:00 PM
i pray for every day now since i read this and the one on passgases god made some pretty stupid peaple and your one of them i used to use heroin,coke,and drink for thirty years.for 29 of them i tried aa the place where you cant drink but its ok to take prescription drugs the place where they hipocritically break every time they all vote to go have nicotine (drug)or caffine(drug) and pastries with sodas that have all that and kill more people a year than anything else.i found the underlying problem at a$60.000
rehab sierra tuson and i am finally cured and your afucking stupid idot. becarefull my friend i promise you you wont ever talk about me.if you dont believe me call 818-303-5919 Domenic
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Math Majorette 07/02/2008 8:25:00 AM
I must admit, MG's modus operandi was a bit on the cheesy side -- how many tv shows, movies, comic books have come out with the story of the enterprising reporter who gets the warden's permission to get locked up in prison to ferret out an important story. All of a sudden, the warden mysteriously dies, lapses into a coma, etc. No one else knows, and now the poor reporter is stuck behind bars!
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Math Majorette 07/02/2008 8:20:00 AM
To those of you who entered Impact as part of a diversion program to avoid criminal prosecution, doesn't that waive any right to anomynity or confidentiality? Just asking.
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Steven S 07/02/2008 8:19:00 AM
Interesting article and many interesting comments too. One person's telling of his or her experience of impact could not adequatly represent what Impact offers. In reading the article I had to think that the writer himself was on the brink of a great surrender. But unfortunately for him he took the easier softer way and left with his emotional baggage never unpacked. There is no ego preservation at Impact and if you didnt surrender then you never really got what Impact gives. It truley is an inside job and a fight against one's own intellect and instinctual drives. Impact saved my life in 86. Years later completed a masters in social work and did my thesis on "spirituality and substance misuse recovery."
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Math Majorette 07/02/2008 8:16:00 AM
To all you insiders from Impact who have posted here: I read MG's story with great interest and I certainly came away with a postive impression of the program. Best of luck to all of you!
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Arlene Philpott 07/02/2008 12:16:00 AM
Well! I've been trying to collect my thoughts after reading all of this. I guess the beauty of an article like this is it gives the men and women of Impact the opportunity to reflect on their experience and express their gratitude for a life-changing and life-saving program. But Mark, don't you feel like you're in one of those carnival games where people throw balls at the bull's eye and drop you in the water? I never dreamed you'd be the target!
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Luke 07/01/2008 6:29:00 PM
Meetings are the cornerstone of our recovery Will. There is no shame in attending from time to time. lol.
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William McLaughlin 07/01/2008 7:58:00 AM
Oh my god you are right...that last one was completely gratuitous----what?---now I think I own the place?----i should probably go to a meeting or something.
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Luke 07/01/2008 5:14:00 AM
Yeah Will. Set an example.
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Luke 07/01/2008 4:53:00 AM
Being a recent client of impact I can't entirely disagree with what mark has said in the piece. Aside from a typo of astronomical proportions in the cost to undergo treatment at the facility and the typical living situation that now makes up impact I don't see what all the ire is about. In the end it was a positive piece. Impact Changed me in a very short period of time by pointing out some fairly obvious flaws in my life that I was either unwilling or afraid to acknowledge. This piece was not meant to be a slam. Read the last lines of the article and lighten up.
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john t 07/01/2008 4:14:00 AM
William: "this forum may not be the best place for your rants." This is a forum for comments on Mr. Groubert's article, not personal comments about other people. Thank you.
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William McLaughlin 07/01/2008 3:37:00 AM
John--please--stop--you sound like Krazy Guy. I haven't seen you in a few years--I don't know if you are still holding up the wall outside of Tropical--I know that you have serious issues around the idea of self-help when it comes to drinking and smokin the weed. But take it from someone that used to be a good acquaintance of yours...you sound a little loopy. This forum may not be the place for your rants. Hope life finds you well otherwise...Eileen sends her best btw.
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john t 07/01/2008 3:18:00 AM
mark: you still haven't addressed any of the substantive issues raised by me and other writers. are you a member of the twelve step movement? did you do any research about aa? court cases? scholarly analyses? synanon and na history? if so, please cite? was this article fact checked? did you verify any quotes? do you have any other sources? why are you setting up a false dialectic/straw man argument using passages as a foil? please respond.
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Addict 07/01/2008 2:40:00 AM
Investigative reporter? Factual, informative & vetted?
Bro...you can't be serious. Most of the comments are real clear on their "factual beefs"
Everyone else seems to have a handle on the failings of your article. What part of this dont YOU get?
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Mark Groubert 07/01/2008 2:18:00 AM
Dear Drug Addicts of Impact: Since you are writing and have gone through the program I can assume you are all drug addicts in recovery - and the insanity that goes with it - the drama, the intense emotions, the first time feelings, the noise in the head. Take a deep breath and re-read the final words of the piece:
"The bottom line is that Impact is harsh, strict, humiliating and confrontational. Yet for many people, it works. It is in your face, in your shit and in your head. In the end it is sincere, no bullshit and one of the best programs in the country for hardcore addicts."
What part of this don't you get? Impact is in stark contrast to the main piece on Passages. Levy, Albert and many, many other Impact alumni were great sources of info. Stop slinging personal attacks and if you have a specific factual beef, say it. Otherwise I suggest you practice restraint of pen and toungue. The article spans many decades of Impact and obviously all of the methods are not used today. I trace Impact from its origins. And while obviously tinged with humor - you are not a glum lot from what I've heard - it is factual, imformative and vetted. If you have a real beef about the whole idea of even allowing this to happen I suggest you take it up with Jim Stillwell, who allowed, with full permission, to have an investigative reporter pose as a patient among you and let the chips fall where they may. I think that took fearless courage and confidence on his part and I wrote what I saw. I think Impact is a better place for it.
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Susie Q 07/01/2008 12:01:00 AM
I am one of the last emplyees at Impact to actually read this article after hearing the remarks. I am a former reporter and was astounded not only by the article but also by the cheapness of the reporter in not clearing use of names-breaking confidentiality is a suable offense-, labeling a recovery facility after only 3 days and never once admitting to his own addiction to alcohol.Would that Have distorted the piece? It is irresposible journalism to put out a piece without realizing the impact on the readers, even the ones looking for help. Sometimes all they k now is our name and now why would they come after that piece? As a recovering person yourself, please think about the lives that may be damaged or lost because they read your article and knew of nowhere else to go. I would have benefitted more, as would the public if you had utilized your experience with alumni form any and all treatment centers.
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Pollyanne 06/30/2008 10:57:00 PM
As a former Weekly writer and a recovering addict, I'm always interested in articles addiction related. But this piece was disappointing and the lack of fact checking is astounding! Mr. Groubert might have succeeded in doing a cheap sensational piece after staying a fraction of the time he committed to do his research, but at what price? This piece could have been interesting, helpful informative, without outing people and jeopardizing reputations.
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Dolly 06/30/2008 10:23:00 PM
One of the real problems with the piece is that the author does not reveal that he himself has been in AA for two decades. This is very misleading - yet he has no problem outing others without their permission. An an addict posing as a non-addict posing as an addict - how clever. NOT. I hope that all who wrote comments here will also submit them as letters to the editor - commenting online is not the same and there will be plenty of people who read the piece in print only and thus not be aware of all the factual errors.
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Wayne Siegfried 06/30/2008 9:05:00 PM
Perhaps someone who is actually going through treatment at Impact would be allowed to voice his opinion on your article. I have been at Impact since 9/10/07. That is almost 10 months...quite a bit longer than your 3 days. You have so many innaccurcies and false information in your story that for a moment I was sure that you were talking about another treatment center. You fail miserably at your attempt to describe Impact, especially when you did not stay long enough to see how treatment and recovery actually takes place here. To start with it is not a luxury rehab or detox center, it is a place that if we are willing, we can learn a lot of things that could save our lives. Every one of the rules here at Impact (and yes there are quite a few of them) are written in order to help us avoid issues that have arisen in the past and also help us from being distracted when we first get here. It may have appeared to be jail-like to you -- I have been to jail for 4 months and I would spend 6 months at Impact before spending another day in jail. You talk about the past when the program was more "shame-based". The treatment has never been shame-based, it has always been 12 step based. There has never been distinctions in housing at Impact. You speak of Blue Cluster clients living in Beverly Hills, which is inaccurate. Since I have been here, and I am now a Third Phase Blue Cluster client who has been here for 10 months--I still reside in the lower residential where you stated only ghetto cluster clients live. I have also been dephased and it has never been for "inexplicable reasons". Every treatment change is the result of a clinical decision by caseworkers and treatment teams. You mention that the majority of us are "hard-looking" men and women--and yet in reality most of us are approachable individuals, willing to help out anyone who asks--and eveyone does not have full body tattoos. Most of the Impact staff that you mentioned in the article are people I know and like--you should be ashamed at the way you misrepresented them in the article. I am twenty years old and have spent the last four years wasting my life in other programs. Before I got here I was well on my way to ruining the rest of my life. If not for Impact I would have spent the next 5 years in prison and I would still be using methamphetamine. Since arriving at Impact I have been taught many invaluable skills, met many friends and teachers and have learned a way to live and enjoy my life to the fullest. This article is abusive and disrespectful to a program than is more caring, helpful and compassionate than you could ever imagine. It is obvious to me Mark G. that for man who writes so much, you see and know so little. You ask what you missed; you missed everything including the most important thing, the honest truth.
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Margie 06/30/2008 7:15:00 PM
WOW! While I did not go through Impact I have worked here for the last 10 years. I am not on the Clinical side, however I have the opportunity to talk with the clients daily and I know personally the hopelessness felt at the end of a drug career. It's all the same whether or not we went to prison, (I did not) but I assure the you the internal prison I was in was as close to hell as one could be. I work here because I witness miracles everyday. When I see that new client sitting on the couch, wondering what to expect, I say it's like a college campus. "Impact-College of Life Learning." And it really is, we teach accountability, intergity, honesty, values, trust parenting,relationships,and how to become the men and women that go on to make this world a better place. It is such a special place, touched by the hands of God.
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William McLaughlin 06/30/2008 12:26:00 PM
for all my hot air about the doings of a decent writer and I neglected to sign my own name.
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LA Weekly Reader 06/30/2008 12:16:00 PM
Good people have pointed out their opinions and serious journalistic lapses in Marks piece. On balance the spirit of the criticisms have been civil. What has been remarkable and somewhat illuminating has been the tone of his responses to the critiques. Rather than circumspection and serious consideration of the readers concerns, he responds with glib condescension. Journalists should always be prepared to engage in serious debate about what they have written. A good writer welcomes the challenge and his or her responses are a show of what made them respectable writers to begin with. Integrity and humility are always the best tools to reach for when the going gets tough--not arrogance and contempt.
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john t 06/30/2008 5:50:00 AM
Mr. Groubert: i submitted my previous comments mistakenly beleiving they were a letter to the editor; since instead they were posted here, I am curious as to why you have not responded to them. By the way, it is difficult to believe that your piece was edited or fact-checked, or that you did any real research on the subject. The Weekly was once a respected newspaper with real reporters, editors, standards etc. Now, by evidence of your article, it features news stories that are merely collections of unsubstantiated,unverified quotes by handpicked "experts" designed to support the writer's uninformed opinions. Please respond with information about your creation of this news (sic) piece and , possibly, prove me wrong.
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Mark Groubert 06/30/2008 5:16:00 AM
Brett: I wrote, "Sorry if it caused you any discomfort. That was not my intent". That I believe is an apology. However, since you will not accept that there is not much I can do.
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Brett Gurewitz 06/30/2008 3:15:00 AM
Mark - even the slightest modicum of journalistic integrity would have required that anecdotal, second-hand information of the sort you gleaned in conversation with John be subjected to some sort of fact-checking or verification. I'm always around and very easy to get a hold of, but no one asked me if I wanted to be included in your article. Furthermore, throwing my good friend John under the bus doesn't make me feel any better about what YOU did. A simple apology is in order.
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Neil B 06/30/2008 12:23:00 AM
Everything he said was the truth, I went to Impact on 7/1/81, and hvae been sober ever since. I will be celebrating my 27th year clean and sober on Tuesday. I hated the place, and in the end,it saved my life. I will be for ever grateful to them
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Mark Groubert 06/30/2008 12:07:00 AM
Brett: May I suggest you take it up with your friend John Albert who as you probably know by now, assured me it was okay to run his quote as is. Sorry if it caused you any discomfort. That was not my intent.
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john tonkovich 06/29/2008 9:45:00 PM
The three pieces on "recovery" by Mr.Groubert are frighteningly real examples of the aa/recovery industry's hold on the public and the press. Mr. Groubert uses Passages Malibu as the "straw man" in a contrived dialectic designed, ultimately, only to prove the veracity of the aa/na/twelve step programs. There are other options, besides the recovery cult, and Passages, that help individuals overcome bouts of mental illness that involve self medicating with drugs, alcohol, etc. Labeling people as addicts is only defining them by their symptoms, and ignoring the deepseeded mental health issues with which they are struggling. Mr. Groubert has swallowed whole the twelve step ficiton; this can be seen by his use of aa catchphrases, such as " some brains need washing", his obsession with Passages statistics and acceptance of anectodal, unscientific endorsements of Impact, and by extension, the twelve step movement. When Mr. Groubert casually mentions Synanon -a dangerous cult whose founders and leaders were jailed for conspiracy and attempted murdrer- as an influence on Impact, his journalistic skills certainly are to be questioned. Mr. Groubert should know that aa/na et.al have been classified as, at best a religion (federal courts), and at worst, a dangerous cult (Dr. Jeffrey Schaler, Ph.D., and others.) Any simple search of the internet could have revealed this, and much more damning information, to Mr. Groubert. Most importantly, he could have learned that the twelve step movement "cures" no one, harms many people, and measures "success" only in the number of self righteous fanatics it converts.
please do not publish my name; when confronted, the twelve steppers often become irrational and confrontational, thereby proving that they are indeed, members of a cult, and unable to rationally discuss their so called "recovery",
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William McLaughlin 06/29/2008 4:40:00 AM
Mark: There was one sentence in my original comment that was out of line and for that you are indeed owed an apology: I am sorry.
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Candice 06/29/2008 1:22:00 AM
When I read this article on Impact Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, I too was offended. The writer did not even spell the Executive Directors name right, for the record, it is Stillwell.
While some of the things that were stated are true, most of them are NOT, and spending 3 days in Impact residential does not qualify Mark Groubert to write an accurate piece on the facility or how it operates, in my opinion. Not to mention the fact that he went in as a non-addict investigative reporter, not a spiritually broken, hopeless addict/alcoholic desperate to have their own personal freedom from the bondage of self. I feel that what was most depicted throughout this article was that Impact is a hard-core facility with only prison type clients and that it was written that way more for shock value than to convey the whole true picture. That disappoints me. I did read in a comment posted from Mark Groubert that read, "This is a positive review if you bothered to read it through." In my opinion a one sided view was painted of Impact. Mark Groubert may an objective opinion, but he failed to convey that in this article. I believe that most readers will be left with the picture of a prison-like atmosphere that relies mainly on humiliation for its basis of treatment for its prison-type people. The truth is that Impact treats ALL types of men and women from ALL walks of life�and it WORKS.
I am honored to say that I am a successful product of Impact. I have also witnessed miracles in many, many others lives as well. I will be celebrating 10 years clean and sober this December...THANK YOU Impact for giving me a foundation in life and more importantly�HOPE.
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doug 06/28/2008 9:50:00 PM
what a poser! at least that guy who does the "30 days" tv show has the cojones to immerse himself in the proect for the duration. you check in for a few days, fearful and judgemental of the "black armed robber(s)," "Latino gangbangers" and "biker(s)" and then take off, mentioning your "freedom from the bondage of self." you clearly have no such freedom, "bro." from what i understand, journalism is a field riddled with alcoholism. maybe, if you become a journalist, you will become an alcoholic and may someday get the chance to check yourself in somewhere for real. then you can write about what you know, instead of what you have witnessed for 72 hours with no prior foundation. some of us might call what you have done "contempt prior to investigation."
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Bardene 06/28/2008 7:40:00 PM
I read your article and I was initially extremely offended. I say that because Impact was a huge turning point for me in my life. I am nice jewish girl from Beverly Hills 90210 who and also happens to be a heroin addict. I have or never been to jail. Ever since my last attemt to staying clean and sober Impact was the place that saved my life. I had tried all other foofoo places i.e Betty Ford etc etc.- Impact was the place that worked for me. I had to learn about honesty integrity and humily which had long surpassed me through my addiction. I had to learn that I was not the center of the universe and Prada and Gucci were not the end and be all to happiness. That true happiness and serenity MUST come within. I am now clean and sober 7 years and still have Impact as my second family.
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Brett Gurewitz 06/28/2008 6:21:00 PM
Mark - you claim "the people who have their names in the piece wanted their names in the piece." You used my name without permission, and I would never have given it. I don't like seeing my struggles and hardships used as a cheap laugh in your sensational piece. For the record, I never did speedballs in Impact, and nothing was ever thrown over the wall in a piece of fruit for me, so there goes your explanation on the origins of "fruiting." Thanks for 'outing' me for nothing.
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Mark Groubert 06/28/2008 3:03:00 PM
William: I suggest you look up "irony" in the dictionary. I spoke again at great length today with my dear friend Arlene Phillpot regarding the article and other issues. As usual we both laughed heartily about many things. I am not sure what your point is exactly. I do not know you and can't figure out why you are personally attacking me. If you have a factual point simply make it. Peace.
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Mark Groubert 06/28/2008 2:48:00 PM
Gina: John Albert and others had no problem in allowing me to use their names so I don't see why you should. Using the names of actual people adds veracity to any story. Clients names and employees names are all fictional. Remember rehab is not NA and the people who have their names in the piece wanted their names in the piece. Should I enforce anonymity upon them, Gina? Would I not be condemned for anonymous sourcing?. Ha. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I stand by my story which actually serves as a counterpoint to the corruption known as Passages. Places like Impact, Clare and Cri-Help are the ones that DO work. Look at all three pieces as a whole. That was my intention.
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William McLaughlin 06/28/2008 1:13:00 PM
And there it is...with almost pitch perfect irony, Mark chose to defend his irresponsible writing by selectively editing a line from A. Philpot's eloquent comment. The good news is that the rest of her comment, written with more class than I could muster, can be read by all.
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gina g 06/28/2008 9:36:00 AM
Being eternally indebted to Impact for quite literally saving the lives of many of my nearest and dearest, I began M. Groubert's article with great interest. Unfortunately, what I sensed almost immediately was that the author was reporting simply the most superficial aspects of the place -- the prison vibe, the junkie hierarchy, etc -- and completely missing the emotional and spiritual transformations that the residents were slowing undergoing.
The main feeling I was left with though was total dismay at the lack of regard for the former resident's anonymity. While the article was not specifically on 12 step programs such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous, and thus might be pardoned for not observing one of the central tenets of those programs, there is still an expectation of privacy for people who are in or have undergone treatment. The explanation for "fruiting" could quite have easily been explained without using either John Albert or Brett Gurewitz's names at all by simply referring to them as "former residents." The fact that names were named, along with a listing Brett's rock credentials, leads me to believe that this is simply sensational name-dropping of the worst kind.
Undoubtedly, practicing addicts are desperate individuals and making bad decisions are a given. Dredging up painful times and glibly airing them to the public is cheap and lousy, particularly when no effort has been made to obtain permission from the person who lived it. Finally, a little fact checking should have been in order, because the story told about Brett's stay at Impact is riddled with exaggeration and inaccuracy. Tsk tsk.
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Mark Groubert 06/27/2008 9:01:00 AM
Hey William: Read the last line of the piece, bro.
"The bottom line is that Impact is harsh, strict, humiliating and confrontational. Yet for many people, it works. It is in your face, in your shit and in your head. In the end it is sincere, no bullshit and one of the best programs in the country for hardcore addicts."
This is a positive review if you bothered to read it through. Impact got the best review of the entire bunch. I don't know what your personal problem is with me and I don't know what "crowd I run with" but I interviewed Jim Stilwell, the director of Impact, at great length in person in his office and on the phone. I interviewed John Albert who went and worked there for 18 months and also Stephen-Levy Mazin who went and worked there for some length - and I stayed there myself for three days and nights. What am I missing, bro? In addition, I know many successful graduates of Impact who are sober and close dear friends of mine today who I ran this through. Tell me William, what did I miss? You? As Arlene Philpott, one of the long term directors of Impact, says just below your comment, "yes, Mark got it right." By the way, I also interviewed and know Arlene and she is one of the treasures of the recovery field
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Arlene Philpott 06/27/2008 2:50:00 AM
I read, then re-read Mark Groubert�s account of his stay at Impact. I had more than one reaction to the article. The first was that it was an amusing caricature of a remarkable treatment center that has saved the lives of countless men and women. The second was that his scope was limited to a very narrow view of the clients and I can only say that I am sorry that Mark was not able to stay longer so that he could experience the treatment services the clients are offered throughout the week. There are a variety of groups including grief counseling, parenting, family services, women�s issues, individual counseling; recreation including yoga and sports; all with a strong focus on personal growth.
Yes, many of our men and women come from a world of drugs and violence far removed from Mark's world. But then, for many the only crime they ever committed was to come from a life of poverty and disadvantage. And we can�t forget that 38% of our clients, an unwavering average from year-to-year, are men and women who choose Impact even though their accessibility to cash and/or private medical insurance gives them the freedom to choose from a plethora of treatment programs. I will use Brett Gurewitz, the founder of Epitaph Records as an example only because Mark Groubert quoted him in his article. I will add that since his treatment experience, Brett and his parents have remained generous benefactors of Impact, helping us bring treatment to indigent addicts who would not otherwise be able to afford treatment.
I want to emphasize that the episode of public shaming referenced by Stephen Levy-Mazin must be a mis-quote. There is no time in a client�s treatment when it is allowable for his or her name to be called out on the P.A. system. This would be a gross violation of his or her privacy. Black Tuesday, as it is sometimes called, is sometimes an uncomfortable day for clients who are not responding to treatment, but Impact does not deal in humiliation at any time.
So, yes, Mark got it right, as far as he went. I just wish he had gone further. He was like a doctor who did an autopsy. He got to the bones and the blood. He just didn�t find the heart and the soul. My fear is that there might be someone out there we need to help who might be scared away by reading Mark�s article.
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william Mclaughlin 06/27/2008 1:23:00 AM
While I appreciate Marks ability to string together words in a pleasing manner--I am appalled at the gross misrepresentations and inaccuracies of the piece. His fetishistic take on the program Impact offers, smacks of indulgence and very possibly his own fantasies of rehab-as-prison.
I work for Impact. I am a former client of Impact. And I am familiar with the crowd that Mark runs with and writes for -- so none of this is a suprise to me. It makes for sexy reading, but it is sloppy and lazy writing.
The Impact that exists in real life is a nationally recognized program that is considered one of the best providers of state of the art treatment of substance abuse.
When the fact checker called to confirm all of this...oh wait...there was no call from a fact checker. So certain glaring inaccuracies were put out there--like the fact that the outmoded, discredited treatment techniques of 20 years ago -- dont exist at Impact -- and that our monthly charge for treatment is not $500 per month.
At the core of Impacts treatment philosophy are the spiritual principles of recovery, I humbly suggest that Mark revisit those principles when considering the power of his pen.
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Christa 06/26/2008 11:57:00 PM
I went through Impact in June 2005, and yes I did think that the program was hard, and that everyone was picking on me. Now 3 years later, still clean and living my life as a better mom, daughter, sister and friend. THANKS to Impact, I learned how to do all these things. Impact gave me structure, and let me know that this is real life, people do die.
I've never gone to jail, or ever been arrested, so hopefully I will never be placed behind bars learning everything that I did from Impact.
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Mark 06/26/2008 11:08:00 PM
I went through Impact myself in 1995. I dont know who this author is but he must be talking about some other program. Most of the negative things he talks about appear to be invalid and untrue. I dont know what the authors problem is, but i bet its hard to pronounce. Hey, Mark Groubert, wipe your mouth, there is still a tiny bit of bull**** around your lips.
