Questions From David C.:

1. “…greatest detriment or hindrance to recovering…”

Perhaps the greatest detriment to healing is not realizing that you have been traumatized. The insidiousness of high-control, destructive groups (cults) are that they promise everything and actually deliver worse than nothing; they deliver hellishness. Nobody leaves a destructive group unscathed. Trauma is always the legacy. Sadly, for many former members living with trauma becomes a way of life; the abnormal becomes normal. Thus, if this way of living (trauma) is now “normal” for me, what do I have to recover from? So many, many cult survivors live lives of denial, and thus, lives of quiet desperation.

2. “…some of the first things a person should do…”

Seek to get help to sort through your experience whether you think you need help or not. Again, nobody leaves a destructive group unscathed. Trauma, if not dealt with, goes underground and morphs over time, and deals with you. Thus, first try to find a former member who is doing well in the healing department. Second, if your family of origin is supportive emotionally, seek them out and draw upon them. Third, read good books on thought reform and try and find a therapist who understands cults (very hard to do; you will probably end up educating the therapist!). Forth, if necessary (and it usually is), try and go to Wellspring in Ohio (a two week emergency program for former members). Fifth, if necessary (and it sometimes is), try and go to MeadowHaven (a long term transitional facility in Massachusetts).