Drug Addiction Stories

I was helping at the Food Mission that day when I heard my name called. I looked up and there he was: my older brother. That would be, that should be a good thing but my brother had been on drugs for as long as I could remember. It had cost him everything, his wife, his children, his way of life. He and our dad had fought over it for years before our dad passed away. 

I hugged him. I could see by the look in his eyes that he was on something even as we spoke. He went around to everyone and said “That’s my sister, that’s my baby sister.” I excused myself after a bit and went into the office and called our mother. I told her that Scotty was at the Food Mission.

“Can I give him our phone number, Mama?” I asked. She hesitated, wanting to say no because of all the times he had stolen from us over the years. Finally, she said “Of course, he’s family.”

I went back out to the room where we were giving the food and Scotty came up to me. He was jabbering a mile a minute and I could not really understand him. Our Outreach Counselor saw us and came up, asking if there was anything he could do. He could tell Scotty was obviously on something, too. When people came through who were high or drunk, he would try to get them to get help so they did not hurt themselves or anyone else, especially if they were driving.

Scotty again said “This is my baby sister” and stumbled. I said “Scotty, what are you on this time?” He insisted he was fine but there was really no doubt. Then he stumbled again. We got him into a private conference room and I kneeled down next to him. I begged him to get help. “Scotty, you have been on drugs for as long as I can remember. Please get help. I want to know what it is like to have a real big brother. I need you. Mama is sick and I need you.”

Scotty looked into my eyes without blinking. I was praying inside and tears were running down my face. Then he did an amazing thing. He looked at the Outreach Counselor and asked him if he could really get help today. Within an hour my brother was checking into a residential program in our town. I was put down as his next of kin and I visited him during family visitation times and went to the available family therapy sessions.

That was two years ago. Today, Scotty is rebuilding his relationship with his own two children and he volunteers at the same Food Mission I do. We have gotten closer and for the first time in my life, I know what it is like to have a big brother. It’s awesome.

We had a lot of fun that summer. Journey was touring and they were playing right next to where our carnival was set up. My sister and I were fifteen and sixteen and we were thrilled that Journey was touring. Then came the news. After the carnival closed, we would be letting them in so they could enjoy the carnival on their own without having to worry about fans hounding them.

There was a carnie that summer I was crushing on. He was cute but our dad told us to stay clear of him. We only worked the carnival in the summertime and we loved it but we were in school the rest of the year and Dad and Mom were back at work doing their jobs.

The carnie, his name was Dave, talked me and my sister into going into his RV. The other guys were drinking and they had some white powdery stuff. Although we were “carnies”, our parents were quite protective and we did not really know what that was. Still, I wanted to seem cool to Dave so I tried it. My sister, being uncomfortable, slipped away and back to our RV. I had no idea I was on the verge of ending my own journey through life.

That was all I remembered until I woke up the next morning in the hospital. I had taken too much and having never had it before, nearly died from the overdose. I missed seeing Journey up close.

My sister had told my parents what was going on and my dad had rushed over which is why the paramedics and doctors think I made it. We never played at being carnies again after that summer of 79. My dad wanted us to stay home and his enjoyment as a carnie.

I grew up, became a mom and one of my own kids experienced with drugs and was soon addicted. When he came home high one night I told him about how his aunt saved my life the one time I took a hardcore drug. He looked over at his aunt as if to have her verify it. She was in town visiting and staying with us. I think the timing was meant to be.

My son agreed to get help and is doing well now. He has a great job and is getting married soon. However, when I see a carnival or I hear a song on the radio by Journey, my mind goes back to my own journey the summer of 79 and I am grateful that thanks to my sister, I was able to grow up and become a parent.

Lady Gaga is a pop star quite popular in the UK with some of her songs reaching number one.  She has a life of celebrity status and a story common to quite a few in the music world.  She has a history of cocaine addiction by her own admission.

It is advantageous to youth today that a celebrity will come right out on her own and tell her story despite objections from her label and publicist.  She can perhaps let young people know that no one is perfect, if there is a drug problem seek help from your parents or a counselor.  Honesty from a pop star such as Lady Gaga could help more teenagers by bringing a positive reinforcement to the drug problems of today, letting our young people know they can receive help.

On the other hand, it does seem rather simplistic, the way Lady Gaga states she overcame her cocaine addiction problem.  For those truly immersed in the world of drug addiction, it really isn’t so easy as simply having your parent look at you and say “you’re screwing up” (paraphrased) and then you say to yourself “oh yeah, well I will just stop right now” (again paraphrased).

One also wonders if a cocaine addiction is really and truly over when she openly admits that not only does she drink but she “parties”.  What does that mean in the world of pop culture today?  We hope that double standards do not apply here for the truth is, one has either beaten an addiction or not.  If you “party” meaning you use drugs, then you are not really “clean”, are you?  However, party could mean something entirely different and innocent, such as simply staying up half the night listening to music and talking and dancing with friends without the use of any drugs whatsoever.

So perhaps we should give her the benefit of the doubt.  If she can present herself as a positive role model status for younger people to fight an addiction problem, then she deserves kudos.  The fact that Lady Gaga openly admits to the cocaine addiction can be a positive step for teens around the world to seek help.  That she is willing to openly speak of it despite what management around her says tells this writer that she may even be material for a book or could make a wonderful spokesperson for those who help young people fight drug addiction.