I haven't heard of the RETO program but there are similar ones here in the US. They are Christian based work type program. Ex went to a couple, some were good and did what they said others didn't follow there own agenda. The RETO looks good in the site and if they really do teach the addict a skill they can use later after they graduate the program that is good. Here there are a couple that I have found that help a person get a career and GED if needed. Most are run with not a lot of money and so they can't do all they want. It is all based around having the person develop a christian faith.
Ex is in a place similar to RETO, he works in the kitchen in the morning, then has GED classes and then church. He has church twice a day, morning and night.

Thank you Katrinka. I'm still researching about the one here but there's extremely little info.

His story about going to a RETO programme but not actually attending it sounds fishy. He said that they offer food and that he has met there some nice people. I've learned not to believe his words. I guess, IF he's going there he's doing it for either the free food or to deal or both.

He also said he met this very kind old lady on the bus one day and she was so nice as to offer her help any way possible. A few days later, brother and g/f - as he said - paid her a visit and she even offered to baptize their baby.

I know there's little I can do for him, if not anything.

I'm very carefull when it comes to the odd good samaritan and faith-based programmes. My gut tells me that something's wrong here..

After an hour of talking on the phone, I text messaged him and told him that the RETO and the old lady thing don't make sense to me.

He lashed back. It was as if the person I was talking to on the phone and the one who texted me back were two different people.

I want to slap him, shake him out of his blurred out world..

I let him talk because I just wanted to hear his voice. I knew he was lying about all the "perfect and great times" he's having, about his not finding it hard not to use heroin.. I just wanted to hear his voice.

I did this to myself. It sucks.

Its sad and I my heart goes out to the baby. I think too many agencies are giving parents who have been turned in for drug use to much leeway. Here on the news you hear about missing babies and I'm thinking where was the government agencies that could of took these babies out of danger. Just makes me so mad.
I found that Reto is also in other countries, sounds like a place when your are down and out and homeless.

Thanks Katrinka, again. I made a few phone calls and got some info. It is one of those places, as you said. No structure and no addiction professionals.

A couple of days later down the road after that phone call, I feel like an idiot for not keeping the call to one minute. His words are walking all over my head. I am angry and hurt. I see new posts here and I can barely think of anything to say, so low I feel.

I say to myself, this too shall pass.

It breaks my heart though to know that he is living in a foggy world, in poverty, with people around him who are like him - dazed and confused, liars, dealers, thieves probably..

Fiance, I and friends are going to my country house to see my parents. It's a wonderful place. My brother loves it. He sarcastically said, "go, go to your country house and enjoy your selves without me".

I know this is the addict talking. Not keeping in touch with him has been one of the best things I've done for me. Now, it feels I'm almost back to square one. You can tell by my blubbering.

hugs
Pen

I would of said, okay and we will have a great relaxing time. He was pushing your buttons, I bet being his sister he knows how to do that really well.
Ex is in number 4 of these types places. As long as he says in the place he does good, once he leaves it isn't long until he is back using. They use scare type tactic's with the bible as their weapon.