I wish him well as a recovering addict, but I regret even having crossed paths with Scott Rostron (also know as Scott Rossi, or Scott La Ross.)
If I were to sum him up?
adjective: arrogant
having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
"he's arrogant and opinionated"
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more
Scott Rostron is person who has an over exaggerated opinion of self, and ability.
I have met some odious people in recovery, as I have in all walks of life and that is after all humanity, and I for one have been no angel, but I can safely say that this person affected myself and others in a detrimental manner that with retrospect beggars belief.
I’m not perfect but have always tried to do what’s right and help others, even when in the madness. I think I have a moral compass. And my writing this post is challenging a Person who stands for everything I stand against.
When working my way through the ANEW process Scott was part of that process and single handedly acted as a bully, a gossip, and someone hell bent on achieving his recovery at the cost of hurting others and sowing discord; with a level of arrogance and patronising behaviour toward others that was and is very hurtful. And still he carries this on.
He has damaged people’s recovery and has shown absolutely no regret whatsoever.
The people he called friends in Anew he no longer communicates with, and having used them, cast them aside.
I accept and know recovery has to be selfish in order to work. And Scott has to be on the ball after his years out there, like we all do.
The reason for this post is not about the past. All of us in the ANEW process were poorly, under the microscope, and can be forgiven behaviours - all of us in recovery have behaviours, including me.
But I have discovered in the recovery process that some people can still exhibit unacceptable behaviours, including barefaced lies,; and are not genuine. This is opposite to what the wonderful ANEW accomplishes, namely showing people how to better, humble, caring people after they put down a substance; which is only the start of the journey.
So why do I wrote this post? Because I want to warn people as to Scott Rostron and I don’t do this lightly
When I look at others in recovery I see care and an ability to listen. Not with Scott Rostron.
Stuck in the past of Hip Hop, Graffiti; and Arrogance and Lies to boot
Scott loves his graffiti and Hip Hop music with the the two being interwoven. Which is a passion, and we all have passion. But his sheer arrogance over his “culture” as he calls it is shocking. His music always “right”. His artwork always “right”.
Talented he is if you see his graffiti work, but I personally have seen better, with the artwork he creates repetitively the same, trapped in the 1980’s, lacking in open mindedness as to other art forms. Why can’t he evolve? I suspect it is his narrow mindedness. And this is core to the post. And core to a person who in his eyes always thinks he knows better. His arrogance as to his artwork and music manifests his behaviour and viewpoint of others.
I am sure here is more to graffiti artwork, than jazzed up lettering. A number of posted examples below are years old and dated.
For example, look at graffiti artwork by other artists below; a clear difference.
Art and Music manifest his True Nature
Scott Rostron, Scott Rossi, Scott La Ross constantly lies as to facts, what he does, or does not do. Always answering back, always right, making allegations as to others that are not true, gossips; yet fails to take ownership of actions he has taken on his side, and quite happily runs to the powers that be, in this case ANEW with limited facts.
He willingly throws other “under a bus” for his own failures, with it never being his fault.
This offends me as being at odds to the kindness, help, honesty of ANEW, its founders and staff.
For example: smoking in the Vernon House facility when strictly forbidden, and having the brass neck to sit there and deny, when we all knew otherwise.
For example: smoking in his room in the shared HMO house ANEW kindly provides and denying this has happened.
For example: when creating a mess in a kitchen in shared accommodation made no attempt to clean it properly, and when pulled up on it went squawking to David Ryan, no longer with ANEW, since David was new to the organisation and not aware as to Scott’s foibles and behaviour.
For example: posting on a WhatsApp group for his house of how his house mates are messy, when in fact it is his mess and he’s lying.
For example: taking food without permission (being diplomatic here) and then denying such.
Minor issues I hear you say, but something underlies all of this in the mantra of an time honoured AA phrase, “It is our lies that make us sick”. And it is the small things we overlook in recovery that set the scene for relapse or living clean but with old behaviours.
This is a person who may be “clean” but is not clean in how he deals with others.
This behaviour continues with Scott Rostron and he hurts many people, even after a history of doing this.
I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I cant believe you - Friedrich Nietzsche.
With Scott people should be warned not to believe a word he says (presently.)
Recovery
Scott constantly mocks AA referring to it as plastic recovery versus NA. An indication of both his lack of understanding of addiction, and of his sublime arrogance as to others.
Anyone in recovery is advised to steer clear of him. He will only drag you down. Such language hurts people, causes doubt as to their recovery.
Employment
Working in the trade that I work in (and see found us) I have a wealth of experience in hiring and managing people, building teams of good people.
I would not hire this person, who clearly has no empathy whatsoever toward others, and has a know it all attitude at every breathing moment. It is impossible to reason with Scott, he always has an answer, an excuse that is right.
I would strongly advise against hiring him with his present behaviours.
He presently studies counselling at Level 3 and this is to be admired, but I would firmly disagree that he is fit for this role or for helping people at present. He has no sense of empathy and is not a team player.
Synopsis
People who know me, know that I always seek the best in people, always give people a chance, always forgive and certainly don’t hold grudges. I let a lot go by before saying anything. It is my nature. But in some situations I will speak out to save others going through the hell of dealing with a poorly behaved person.
But with Scott Rostron, “Scott Rossi”, “Scott La Ross” I can safely say I am glad not to be living with him, which I had to, and something I find difficult to understand ANEW for. But then I should not do so, as ANEW has the humanity to give all a chance even if let down.
The poor behaviour he indulges in at the expense of others, including me, is tolerated. And I do not know the undercurrent beneath. And there may be good reason for this acceptance, and may I make clear I am cheerleader for ANEW; a brilliant organisation, but one Scott Rostron takes the piss out of. And the same applies to CGL in Tameside. CGL, a wonderful organisation that is maybe not wise to his behaviour.
There has always been a level of immaturity to Scott, where upon he finds fun in other’s misfortune or plain laughs at them, to quickly fire in with “I’m only joking”. The point is he does not joke. It is nasty, hurts people, and can be a knife blow to some.
Afterthought: Is this character assassination?
I wish it was, as then this writing could be easily justified, explained away. It is my opinion, not others, and to me it is the plain truth. But there is always hope.
People do change, change their behaviours, open their minds, empathise. Maybe there is hope for Scott yet. I hope so, because when he is good he is good.
Links
https://www.facebook.com/scott.rostron.1
https://www.facebook.com/scott.laross