My name is Scott Mannheimer, and I am 38 years old. I am a recovered drug addict, and I can honestly say I am now healed thanks to the services at Holistic Sanctuary. I call this place the Rolls Royce of rehab centers! It was a transformative experience that played a crucial part in my journey to becoming clean. However, my story began long before the Holistic Sanctuary.
In 1994, my grandfather died, just one day before my birthday. This event changed my life in ways words cannot express. Shortly after this major loss, my family moved to Staten Island. At 12 years old, I was angry, stubborn, and rebellious. Without proper guidance, I began smoking weed and drinking alcohol at a young age. Eventually, I got into harder drugs like ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms, Adderall, and anything else I could get my hands on.
To support my habits, I did things I deeply regret today. I sold drugs, a lot of them. I robbed my own uncle’s house multiple times. One day, I got caught and faced potential jail time, but my uncle, though furious, dropped the charges. I frequently stole jewelry and money from my parents—anything to feed my drug addiction and growing gambling habit. I hurt the ones I loved over and over again.
When you’re stuck in addiction, all you care about is yourself. You can't see past the overwhelming desire to satisfy the addiction. It's a selfish and scary place to be, and those who have been there know this all too well. The drugs numb the emotional pain and keep you trapped in a vicious cycle.
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After realizing I could obtain drugs legally and at a cheaper price, things took an even darker turn. I began visiting multiple doctors to get pain medication (opiates) and Adderall (amphetamines). Eventually, I was red-flagged, meaning the system caught on to my abuse while I continued to destroy my life and those around me.
I fell into a deep depression and attempted suicide nine times through car accidents. I still keep pictures of each of the nine totaled vehicles as reminders of the dark and scary times in my life.
At 23, I started experiencing serious neck pain. It became debilitating over time, and in 2013, I was diagnosed with a condition requiring neck spinal fusion surgery. Desperate to stop the pain, I agreed to the surgery. Unfortunately, it only led to more pain. I felt like a lab rat as doctors ran test after test and prescribed various medications, acting as legal drug dealers. My addiction spiraled further out of control, and I reached a point where I knew I had to change my life or truly follow through with ending it.
Close friends tried their hardest to help, but I was in too deep, and everything seemed on the brink of disaster. Finally, I reached a breaking point and said to myself, "I GIVE UP." I knew I needed something groundbreaking to shake up my life and pull myself out of the endless hole I had dug. After extensive research, I called my parents and told them I wanted to go to the Holistic Sanctuary in Baja, Mexico. I finally submitted and tapped out for the first time in my fighting career, and I went.
In November 2017, I arrived at Holistic Sanctuary, marking the beginning of my new life. Thanks to God, I have been clean since that day, free from withdrawal symptoms or any urges to return to my old ways. I fell in love with the place and its people, their views on life, and their methods. The staff was so friendly and amazing that when I left, I honestly felt like they were family. Johnny the Healer was the best thing that ever happened to me, and to this day, I remind him of that. I appreciate his knowledge, his love, and his passion for helping people heal. He inspired me to do the same for others, which has become my new passion in life. I am now reborn, and the sky is the limit for Scott Mannheimer.
In early 2018, after completing my life-changing treatment, I moved to Pennsylvania. I noticed that I now saw life differently—it was invigorating. I was eager for new experiences to fill this newfound hunger for life, love, and positivity. In August 2018, I found the Revolution Church. There, I learned about myself and grew in supernatural and spiritual ways. God recognized my efforts to heal myself and took me to places I never knew were possible. He not only saved me but also showed me His unconditional love and blessed me with a ministry: The Hope Dealer Ministry in Kensington, Philadelphia.
I now pour all my heart and soul into the interventions I do for the people who need it most. I continue to pursue my dreams of telling my story to the world, hoping to change lives and have a motivating, positive, and uplifting effect on those seeking hope. I’m here for people in need because I know the feeling. I was stuck for a long time, but after decades of struggle, depravity, and hopelessness, I can finally say that I AM FREE!!!
Keep your faith, trust in hope, and believe in yourself. Now is always the time to get back on your feet, pursue life, love, happiness, and reach your true potential!
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