LyinEyes, I think it may be harder to get the whole j.w. thing out of your head when you're raised in it. I have found that people that came into it as a adult have a eaiser time walking away.
I have a friend that chooses not to bring her j.w. past up to her friends. She, like you and I, was raised in the org. She's ashamed to tell people that she was a witness. She also feels that they wouldn't understand if she discussed it with them anyway. Not me....I tell everyone that I was raised in the borad and make it a point to make them aware of the abuse that is taking place. I do this, not to get pity, but to bring awareness. I'm gonna work as hard trying to keep people out, as I did trying to make them come in!