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Last House Graduate: Will Van Zandt

I am not sure how to express the shift in perspective I have had while staying here, but I will give it a shot. I have been to hell and back ten times over the time I arrived at The Last House. I came in broke and broken, confused, empty, and with nothing left to give. My 70-year-old mom dropped me off with a week’s worth of clothes, my care, and personal effects were scattered from Pasadena to Arizona. I weighed 150 pounds with 11 staples in my head and my front tooth gone with no recollection as to how or why it happened. As I got out of the car my mother looked at me and said “not that you have much-left son, but what is remaining I would think about because I can’t afford to care anymore, please do not call.” That was the day my life had turned into yet another introspective journey as to how fucked up my life was once again. I was forced to sit with that. Regardless of how capable and disciplined I thought myself to be. Here I was, along with Jonas, Ryan, and Diego steering the ship I knew choppy waters were not far ahead. Then Dustin came in and just when I thought my life couldn’t get any worse, there was a guy who couldn’t leave! I could!! Meeting another like mindedindividual-who was violent by design and courteous by choice, I thought to myself this relationship is going to go one of two ways. We were either gonna fight or assimilate. We have not fought… yet. So there we were in the dish pit, cooking, cleaning, and striking. Many moons passed and the routine became non-negotiable, the consistency more frequent. I, we, all of us, faced with the opportunity to dig deep and get honest or comply and fly by had a choice to make, I got BUSY! I sat across from my sponsor and evaluated my character and assessed my conduct, we went over causes and conditions with a thorough inventory, I discarded what caused turmoil, and tailored my actions to helping others to help myself. I shut my mouth and listened to others’ perspectives. I voiced my concerns, I chose the gym over the couch, and I chose work over pleasure. I soon began to realize what I had neatly avoided over the 15 years of trying to get sober was the one thing that kept me disconnected. My intolerance and judgment of others and my immense concern for myself I had. I want what I wanted in life and went to any lengths to get it, with little to no regard for others and no remorse for what they had to endure. I was not much but I was all I thought about. If you were to ask me what I do today to maintain sobriety and mental stability, I would tell you it is not what I do as much as what I don’t do!. It is beyond wordswhat has happened in my stay here- simply put, I let go of the wheel, I let others do for me what I failed to do myself. In the 16 years, I attempted getting sober I can say today that my only strength comes through restraint. – Will Van Zandt

“The answers will come if my own house is in order”

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A custom website or a website created with the help of effective team.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

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A custom website or a Great Company with the help of effective team.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

demo-attachment-2915-blog-6

A custom website or a website created To Do List for a Team.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and b


Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

demo-attachment-2914-blog-5

The best choice for your Corporate with the help of effective team.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

demo-attachment-2913-blog-4

Hardest Things in Programming with the help of effective team.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

demo-attachment-2912-blog-3

A custom website or a website created to Analyse Marketplace.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

demo-attachment-2911-blog-2

Plan Your Business with the help of effective team.

Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales. Over the years, we have worked with Fortune 500s and brand-new startups. We help ambitious businesses like yours generate more profits by building awareness, driving web traffic, connecting with customers, and growing overall sales.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

If you do a random search in Google you will immediately arrive at an answer. Online store localization usually entails making your website duly customized and accessible to the market of another country.

This inevitably includes the translation of your content but it may also involve other aspects such as adapting your content to the other country language norms, taking into account market particulars, payment specifics, customer expectations, etc. As these may vary from country to country, you will need to study them separately for all language versions of your online store.

That being said, the importance of ecommerce localization is already logical. In practice, it pertains to your local content potential to resonate with your local target audience in the best possible manner. Related here also are your ability to attain native customer attention, engagement and satisfaction.

If you would like to explore the benefits of localization a step further, you may also see here.

What is ecommerce localization and why is it so important?

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Stay Sober With Good Relapse Prevention Strategies

Stay Sober With Good Relapse Prevention Strategies

You’ve done the work and you’ve gotten sober.  You may be feeling great or you may be feeling a bit scared.  You may also be wondering how to stay sober.  Tales of others relapsing may have you wondering just what you need to do to prevent relapsing. The Last House is here to help you build on the work you’ve done to get sober so that you can stay sober. 

What Is a Relapse?

At its simplest, relapse is the return to the use of the drugs or alcohol from which we got sober.  However, most addicts and alcoholics will tell you that the relapse began before the drink or the drug was ever picked up.  Relapse can be divided into three stages: emotional, mental, and physical.  The emotional stage is defined by poor self-care including isolating from others, not going to meetings, poor eating habits, focusing on others instead of self, and more.  During the emotional stage, there are often no thoughts of using. Those thoughts come during the next stage.  During the mental stage, you may feel like you’re on the front lines of a war battling against yourself.  You may find yourself looking for opportunities to relapse, craving drugs or alcohol, glamorizing your past use, and more.  If you’re unable to successfully work your way through the emotional and mental stages, you may find yourself at the physical stage, where you begin to use drugs and alcohol again. 

Is Relapsing Normal?

While relapse can be common, it is not required.  Long-term recovery requires a great deal of change on the part of the individual and relapse prevention strategies.  Often those that relapse start to attend fewer meetings and stray far from the very routine that got them sober.  If relapse does happen, you can hopefully rely on the lessons you’ve learned while getting sober to begin again.  Starting over means taking a hard look at what led to the relapse and then developing relapse prevention strategies.

Practicing Drug Relapse Prevention

Long-term sobriety means changing the definition of fun, learning from setbacks, and becoming comfortable with discomfort. Once we put down the drugs and alcohol, we often find that we have to change our circle of friends.  No longer can we spend our time with the people with whom we used to use drugs and alcohol.  This means that we need to establish a new circle of friends and learn how to have fun without using. 

Long-term recovery also means learning that life is not always smooth sailing and that choppy waters are not an excuse to return to using.  It has certainly been said at more than one meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous that there is no problem that cannot be made worse by picking up. Staying sober means allowing ourselves to feel all of the feelings and learning how to work through them constructively.  Life in sobriety will have ups and downs, but we can learn how to manage without using.  Drug lapse prevention is, in essence, balancing the demands of recovery with the demands of our lives so that both flourish. 

Let The Last House Help You

The Last House Sober Living is a network of sober living homes in the heart of West Los Angeles. We believe in providing our clients with the tools to have a meaningful life and participate in their own sobriety.  Activities such as service commitments, sober parties, conventions, dances, and house outings are all a part of helping you learn how to have fun in sobriety.  If you’re wondering where to start to create your sober life, The Last House is here to help. 

saving my son

Saving My Son

How can a random encounter on a Utah mountain top lead to a transformational recovery from the insidious disease of addiction? Actually, I believe it was part of a grander plan.

My son and I met Matt Fidlow and Chris Kirby, from The Last House admissions team, in August of 2018. It was parent weekend at Legacy Wilderness Treatment Center located in Loa, Utah, where my son began his recovery journey, two months prior. Parents and their children were reunited and went on an excursion to scale down the side of a mountain. The group cautiously hiked up the steep side of the rock and we found ourselves towering high above the terrain below. Keep in mind that I had not seen my son for two months. Now I had to put my trust in him to teach me how to use the equipment and to scale down safely. Trust was something that had eluded our mother/son relationship during his addiction. It was a huge leap of faith to give him my life and safely lead me back to solid ground.

While contemplating the irony of the situation, we found ourselves in conversation with Matt Fidlow. He and Chris joined our group as part of an outreach between the two treatment facilities. Immediately there was a connection, as we were all from the Chicago area. Matt shared his story and spoke of the freedom in recovery that he found at The Last House. Matt invited my son to give him a call if he was interested in coming to Los Angeles for his next step after Legacy. And that is how it began…. 

In September, my son flew from Utah to LA to begin this critical transition. Through the structure of The Last House program and tough love of the staff, even in the most challenging moments, my son held on to the belief that he could change. As the days turned into months, my son gained the skills necessary to navigate life’s challenges and seek opportunities to grow. The strong and supportive community at LH was the key that finally opened the door to recovery! The Last House program brought my son back from the depths of despair and lifted him up to become the young man I’d always hoped he would be. 

Since his graduation from The Last House, my son continues to rebuild his life with intention. He is giving back as a sponsor to other young men from The Last House which keeps him grounded and connected to the fellowship.  He is employed with future career goals,  financially independent and thriving. Most importantly, my son is genuinely happy for the first time, in a long time! 

During his active addiction, I was terrified, devastated and confused.  I was consumed with trying to fix, manage, control the chaos and understand the insanity. My extreme efforts seemed to be ineffective, unappreciated and I was mentally and physically exhausted.  It felt as though I was walking on shifting sand, unable to gain stability and forward momentum. 

It was on a recommendation from my sister that I found the Nar-anon 12 step recovery program.  The program, similar to Al-anon, is for those who are affected by someone else’s addiction. Learning that addiction was a disease that I did not cause, I could not cure and I could not control brought an incredible sense of relief. Through weekly meetings, listening to members share experience, strength and hope, I gained valuable insights and tools to help me cope during each twist and turn that came my way. Trusting that my son was in good hands at The Last House helped me let go. 

One of the benefits of us continuing to work on our individual recovery is the common theme of faith and reflection. Trust continues to build and strengthen our relationship. I believe this unexpected journey has made us into more than we could have been without the experiences we have endured. The disease of addiction does not define us, but it continues to transform us.

I will always be grateful to The Last House for not only changing the trajectory of my son’s life, but saving it.