In Mission Impossible 3, Ethan Hunt (aka Tom Cruise) and his protege (aka Keri Russell) have an explosive pellet implanted in their heads through their nose by the bad guys as a way to control them. The only way to to stop it from detonating is to use a defibrillator or some device to send massive electric shocks to the body, thus short circuiting the deadly implant. Hunt's protege doesn't get the help she needed in time, and she dies. Hunt does get a violent electric shock that almost kills him, but in the end saves his life. (followed by the most incredulous ending of an action movie ever, but I digress)
I thought of that movie after I remembered all the countless conversations and meeting/convention parts that talked about the many problems that those who are disfellowshipped or "apostates" have after leaving.
There is some truth to this. In my immediate family, I have had two very close loved ones who have since died, all because of the after effects of their exit. One was DF'd and eventually took his own life after making many poor life decisions, especially with drugs and alcohol to ease the pain. The other just lived in a very unhealthy manner, drank a lot, and eventually passed from cancer. They were my brother and mother.
However, what JW's and the GB conveniently omit is how they've sabotaged people, in essence, implanting an explosive device in peoples heads. Once you're gone, that ticking time bomb is activated, and you still see what they want you to see. You still see yourself the way they want you to see yoursself, and sometimes, only a huge shock to the system will disable it.
Many who leave fill the need to engage in behavior that was previously forbidden, and so long as it isn't destructive or addictive, and you don't put yourself in life threatening situations (even as simple as drunk driving) then no harm, no foul.
It should be mentioned more that anyone who leaves a high control group or cult, especially born-ins, have trouble adapting. You have been conditioned to see yourself as nothing without "the organization". You have everything to lose, especially yourself.
The insidious explosive that the GB has shoved in your head detonates, and suddenly, you are involved in risky behavior, sometimes drug and alcohol abuse, abusive relationships, not even knowing that you are allowed to love yourself. And yes, it can kill you. And then you become a sad "experience" that isn't even related accurately....
HERE IS THE POINT
Exiting JW's need help. Some more than others. Forums like this help, but sometimes, you need a real "shock" to your system. If you have insurance, get help. Get some therapy.
If you can't, forums like this can help. My advice, 11 years removed from this sickness, is to learn to love yourself. You don't need the distraction of drugs, alcohol, or co-dependent relationships to ease the pain. PLEASE BE SMART and deal with the pain. It can eat you alive, and explode in your head.
Getting help, or sometimes, just a friend telling you what's really going on with you is a SHOCK! And that is fine. It can short circuit the control that can actually kill you. We all need that. I don't think it does any good for exiting JW's to feel that they are less than others, are somehow doomed, or otherwise to be used as just another anecdotal example to relate by the ignorant idiots who run the Borg and their congregations.
Nope, the best revenge is to LIVE WELL! BE HAPPY! That isn't easy, and you don't have to do that. But reclaiming your life, and sometimes getting help, is one of the best decisions you can make.