pedro01

Yeah - you feel scared of relapsing

Yes - now on LTR 'P' for pensioner! I'm only 54. Not sure I like 'pensioner'

I know your current state of mind is one of constant fear of relapse. I know you associate with addicts - and you repeat the AA/NA mantra. These are things I learned from you. In turn - what I taught you, is that there is a different path. That (for example) - you can be an ex-alcoholic, that goes to a pub with drinkers and doesn't drink because "they hate that <deleted>".

The people you know are brainwashed into believing they are on a tipping point. It's an ancient and cruel belief that is propagated by AA/NA and it's "sponsors" - it's plain as day what "community" you are in. Bottom line - one of us is happy with something that's in the past and will stay there, the other is in a constant state of fear of relapse. Guess which of us is happier?

You did say this: "Trump abusing his presidential powers to pardon criminals should never have meant it's OK for Biden to pardon his" Just out of interest. How is it abusing presidential power to pardon criminals???? Being a criminal is pretty much the only prerequisite for getting pardoned!

No - why would you think that? Are you telling me that through this discussion- the approach you are defending is the only one you know? You think the only alternative is willpower? FFS

The "addict forever" mindset isn't the bulletproof shield some claim. Studies show 40-60% of AA participants relapse in the first year—hardly a ringing endorsement. Why? Fear and self-doubt are baked into the model. Contrast that with self-empowered recovery: lower relapse rates, a focus on rebuilding, and slips seen as setbacks, not catastrophic failures. Believing you're recovered isn’t arrogance; it’s reclaiming control. Sure, relapse is always a risk—but shackling yourself to an "addict" identity forever? That’s no guarantee of success, just a recipe for living in fear. Recovery should be freedom, not a life sentence.

Cost was 50k for govt and 50k for the lawyer. A good deal IMO

Mmmmmm mmmmmmmmm mmmmmm Love desert

Mmmmmmmm - tasted exquisite

I sympathise. First, let's state the obvious - this is NOT a decent, well-balanced person. She's an idiot - but I sympathise in that she's a brainwashed idiot. I sympathise with her friends and family, not her.

Why the constant references to relapse? Recovery is about building habits and understanding one's triggers, not about being permanently defined by past behaviors. The idea that an ex-addict will necessarily return to addiction oversimplifies human psychology. If someone who has recovered from addiction truly understands the damage it caused, why would they risk returning to it? They wouldn't - they are over it. Ex addicts aren't like you - you've been brainwashed to think your life is a razors edge.

Just got my LTR visa - thought I'd give my experience on it. I applied via an agency as I don't have much luck navigating this stuff myself. But - unlike others reported - it really took very little time and documentation. I had to supply - passport - Bank account showing dividend payment - company resolutions for the dividend And that's it. The process was delayed by me going to Samui for a month - but we booked an appointment today. That was the first time I met the lawyers rep and the first trip to BOI. There's a 'posh' LTR visa section where I waited about 20 mins - and I got the visa there and then. The agency hasn't even billed me yet - which is cool of them. I'm really stoked about this. It was waaaaay easier than my usual retirement visa. Now no taxes and no 90 day reports. It's a wonderful day to be an expat!

Because the Dems internal polling showed them the huge loss they'd suffer - not a single county flipped red to blue. They used fake polling to fundraise - never telling donors they were set to lose. That's dishonest at best, fraud likely

So? Doesn't prove your point. Addicts do dumb <deleted>. Many die. Many move on. Some like being addicts and stay in AA forever. Whatever gets you through the night.