The Guidebook To Sobriety

Chapter 3

The atmosphere lightened in a split second, with gleaming rows of teeth spread around as they praised their sudden good fortune. I noticed everyone seemed like high-functioning addicts; their teeth weren't rotting and though some wouldn't pass a doctor's eye test, no one screamed crack-head either. It made sense they would try to make their very first batch of test dummies easy so the success rate would be high.

"As I was saying," Amir's voice boomed via microphone, rudely interrupting the celebration. "Earning points will be no easy task. Every week you'll be drug tested and gain ten points for each week you pass. The other main ways to gain points are participation in group sessions, winning games and events, and overall good behavior around the camp. There isn't a set points amount for those like there is for the drug test but like the drug test, you will know your total point allocation at the end of the week."

The mood in the room took a bit of a nosedive. Naturally, the drug-addled addicts had thought there wouldn't be a catch. I still had a little critical thinking skills hanging on by a thread. 

I think.

"But...how are we going to pass a drug test if we purchase a joint with our points?' a girl in the front row asked. She had straight brown hair that started dark and gradually became lighter shades as it progressed down to her shoulder blades, impeccably complimenting her russet, reddish brown complexion. 

She seemed more like a model than an addict, but nowadays those terms could be synonymous.

Amir nodded as if commending the question. "Naturally, the THC will stay in your system for only a week. You'll still be tested to avoid any deception, with the records showing when you bought the item. All authorized intake must be made known of beforehand or you run the risk of being wrongfully penalized for the drug use."

Agitated murmurs arose from the crowd. I stayed silent, preferring to observe the people that I would be potentially competing against. I mean I liked a good smoke just as much as the other guy but I could already tell it'd take an arm and leg to get it.

"What type of rehab spot lets you smoke weed?" Atlas leaned over and asked.

Luckily I'd already deduced thinking wasn't his strong suit.

"The kind that has decided simple medication and therapy isn't the way to go and adds on a splash of manipulation. It's especially easier since the camp caters to teens. When you need to train a dog to obey you wave a bone in its face and give them it when they follow your orders. Well, addicts are a bit dumber, so a little prescription will do--heck, maybe even a plant. We'll even wag our tails as we follow orders chasing that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Add on the fact that we're teenagers who haven't been doing drugs for decades on end? It's a diabolically sound plan that may just work." I pointed a bony finger accusingly at Amir as he let his words sink in with a friendly smile. "I bet they're banking on making the joints feel well in reach, yet keeping it out of reach for a while, so that we'll be extra attentive in those meetings and build camaraderie and all sorts of crap."

Atlas looked at me as if I had started speaking in tongues. "Damn. You really got all of that from what he said?"

"To beat the colonizers you must first think like them!" I replied with an exaggerated swoop of my hand.

Atlas tried and failed to hold in his laugh. "Still, it's pretty rad they're allowing us a chance to get high. Sounds like it'll defeat the whole purpose."

"That's what you'd think but weed is remarkably tame compared to what drugs normal rehab centers give you to treat withdrawals. Recreational smoking isn't completely frowned upon when you aren't reliant. By spacing out our periods of high they introduce us to moderation."