"I've Got Friends Out Here That Are Trickin' To Survive." | A drug addict interview in Baltimore, MD
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Stephanie is currently homeless and addicted to drugs. She's been out on the street since 2017. Growing up was decent, but things took a turn for the worse when she got older. She got diagnose with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the doctor who prescribed her drugs got indicted by the DEA. She got cut off from getting pills when that happened, and resorted to the cheaper option of heroin. Her mother and brother are also homeless with her. She has a dog as well, and she's worried about not finding a place for them all t stay before winter hits. She knows the dog won't make it in the winter, and it's hard trying to find a place that will take them all.
#addiction #homeless #interview #real #life #story #video #reality
I'm in Baltimore...
I been here 16 yrs...
I was homeless & getting high...
IV been through every unimaginable situation you could ever think of...
3 years I was stuck in the black hole cycle....
But as your cycling downward there's always sumthung you can grab on to & pull yourself out...
But thanks to the support from my kids, Gaudenzia & Second Chance2 pushed me in the right direction....
I'm currently in a program & been cleaned up for 9 months...
I'm telling you if I could do it ANYONE can...
Congratulations on getting clean. That's a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud of yourself. Keep going. You got this. 💪 I'm from Maryland as well, and I was in Gaudenzia, too. I know exactly how you feel. I just hit 10 years clean back in April. Every day clean nay not be perfect, but I promise it's worth it.
Congrats 🎉amen I have 8 yrs also I’m proud of you let’s keep the great work up 🆙
I am so proud of you! You are beautiful and resilient ❤❤🎉
Praise the lord surrender to Jesus Christ and you will be cured im 7 months sober rn 22 years old was homeless on fentanyl on Boston Jesus Christ saved me ❤️🙏
Keep going amen
Those 80’s hit our generation hard man!
For anyone who thinks people is lying on here, come to Baltimore and find out for yourself, I pray for them cause it's hard and I pray that they find Christ and help Amen
Who thinks they’re lying?! Wow.
People are clueless about how some people really struggle
There’s an area in Baltimore that looks like the apocalypse zone. It’s scary, I never want to see that or visit that area. It’s like an open air space where ppl can buy any illicit drug they desire out in the open. The ppl don’t look normal, praying for them all bc it could be me or anyone else. This lady is 40 and looks to be a hard 70 yrs old.God help her, 🙏🏽🙏🏽.
Thank you! 🙏 ❤
@@spitfirestake54. Some people still do think people are lying. My medical doctors will almost never tread me with antibiotics or anything with any liability attached. They have a special order on my chart not to believe me, and won’t take Substance Use Disorder- Severe, Continuous off my chart, even with 8 years of clean random tests and other doctors vouching for me, a certificate in recovery services, and close to an LADC (licensed alcohol and drug counseling) & Master’s degree. They won’t treat my chronic uterine or bladder infections, and my uterus is inoperable. I’m infertile, because they refused (& still refuse) me treatment for years, couldn’t work for months at a time, and can’t get SSI because one system’s medical records say I’m currently actively addicted, which has not been the case in years, which I have had specialists document, by testing. I have never been seen for anything related to substance use there, or anywhere…no ODs or related symptoms. I didn’t want to be labeled, because I had actual pain. They would not know if I hadn’t told them I wanted a referral to treatment in 2015. Then, I never needed anything from them, around it, again. I have refused opioids, even after surgery, for 9 years, from everyone, consistently. I don’t recommend asking a GP for referral. I found out later that you can self-refer to treatment as a part of mental health privacy laws. I have worked in systems advocacy, because a lot of people are going through this. Even when people do use substances (which I don’t), they still deserve medical care, but many just get, “We can’t help you until you help yourself,” which I helped myself, helped others & would love to continue doing if I can get my medical issues treated like my mom or anyone who has never had a substance use disorder does. This patient dumping is really common. Purdue and doctors scapegoated patients for their own overprescribing, labeling them as long time addicts and scammers, to cover their behinds when people got addicted to their prescriptions. This is all out of executives mouths, showing their names and faces in documentaries. It’s documented in court records and my textbooks. It’s not even possible that something that has been adjudicated and admitted to by a lot of people involved could be a conspiracy theory, at this point. Purdue admitted to creating and pushing the narrative that “a few bad apples spoiled it for all the innocent patients who can’t get pain treatment. Anyone who believes that y’all did not come up with it and it’s not good for you to fight with other patients substance use disorder. Patients are also patients who need rights. Learn the real history of the opioid epidemic! All my scar tissue from the chronic infections they would not treat (I went in all the time) has put me at high risk for uterine cancer, and doctors have told me I’m not likely to survive a hysterectomy with that much scarring, so I might not live to get back to doing advocacy, or not for long. Maybe I will. I don’t know, but the infections are crippling. What people don’t realize is that most illnesses treated based on patient report symptoms there is not always a test that proves at 10% of people with PID have idiopathic uterine infections so they can’t prove I have them, they say. I have a do not treat without empirical evidence order, which sounds OK. But when you consider that there isn’t a test for everything it’s really not. If my mom goes in and says that she has certain symptoms, they can’t do a direct test for or they won’t perform the test because of financial considerations or whatever, she gets treated. They did open me up to try to sterilize me in 2020 and told me it cannot be done without too high risk to my life because of past uterine infection that has created too much scar tissue. That’s the only thing that causes that. Still when I get these infections, they won’t treat them. I’ve had to pay out-of-pocket and out of work and now I don’t have a car so I lost my job and can’t do that. I don’t have a choice of clinics on Medicaid, so my life is in their hands. It’s really scary for a lot of people.
They need someone to tell them about christ while interviewing them.
Thanks for giving the white underclass of Baltimore a voice man. They're usually utterly ignored and forgotten, or disregarded because 'they're white, they could've helped themselves '. I was one of those white street kids back in the early 2000's. Would love to share stories with ya dude.
You make a good point that this group is largely blamed and ignored. And I care very much for all folks in this situation that don't know how to escape.🌻
Your skin color is an automatic privilege, you failed to take advantage of it. Even the poor and destitute white ppl are treated better than an educated black person, especially a male. A white person can receive any help they want before any other race in America.
What's your story?
I had a friend stabbed to death on North Ave. No one even cared. Walked over him for 2 days until a cop happened to notice him on jump out day. They collected his body, and that was that. (White guy, bright red hair) it still haunts me. Leaving Bmore was the best thing i ever did for myself.
Stephanie, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story, with such grace, intergrity and honesty. You have a powerful message which must be heard Nationally to reach deep into the dark hidden places where politicians, lobbyists and vile Profiteers scheme, plan and expropriate the funds meant to help and address the very thing you are living through right now! I am so sorry. I hope you, and your family and pup catch a damn break. xo
If the organization called ACORN is in your area, look them up.
Poor lady she has had a tough life. Hope she gets better. We all think that this could never happen to us, but it can happen to anyone. God Bess her
She is a hard 40. Praying for her recovery
You would be too if you were living on the street with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis!
The poor woman requires biological medication - $3 - 6 thousand a month pain medication!
Try a little compassion!
@@Arkie-Sparkle shut up. Didn’t you read? I said I’m praying for her recovery. Idiot
It's hard to believe she's 40 at all. More like 60. It's sad though, I'm not making fun of her. Homelessness and drug addiction can take it's toll. I notice it a lot more on homeless drug addict females than males.
I’m 39 and I can’t believe how different we look! I’m a recovering addict as well and I’m so glad I’m not in this game now! This is a whole new animal!
When she said her mom is 60 I couldn’t believe it. She looks 80. I feel for her, a very hard life.
There are many medications for rheumatoid arthritis other than pain killers. She needs to see a doctor for her arthritis. She is the only one that can help herself by having her rheumatoid arthritis treated. Looks much older than 40.
Well said.
I feel like the blaming the drs is getting old…. No dr tells you take5 extra a day … some dr definitely over prescribed …
@@denabeebe1888so true. The individual has to take responsibility also
@@neonbluez-is2es agree 💯
I agree with you. I have ra and I use non opioid and non narcotic medication. Using ra as an excuse is bs
Hi from uk 🇬🇧 I pray for these people to get help and gt well
I left baltimore in 03 when I was 23. I was on H for a long time, but I was able to get out of there before all this tranq or whatever they are putting out there. I lost my best friend of 32 years 2 years ago to those streets. I see these people and know it could easily be me standing there. I am so grateful I was able to get out. I moved to WV and I live a totally different life now. My heart hurts for these people. I remember waiting on a runner to return in a bando, and a granny walked in and was waiting with me, I knew right then I had to get out, or I'd never make it. I didn't want to be a granny having to cop to stay well enough to spend time with my grandkids. Back then, it was just dope and safe cuts (well, safer). I can't even explain how grateful I am to have a different life.
I feel so bad for her mother. 😩
Me too. It's a sad situation all the way around.
If her mom is 60 years old and not an addict... Maybe they can contact Adult protective services and see what options are available. Just a suggestion.
@@kellytaylor-z6m60 is still working age
I went through Baltimore on a Sunday. It was horrible. I was looking for seafood. On the downtown inner harbor, the parking was crazy expensive. The food was crazy expensive. So we left. I saw the addicts downtown and what a scene. I saw the area where the Wire was filmed. My goodness.
And I KNOW skid row L A.
Good grief. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😓😓😪😪
I haven't been there for a few years, but it didn't look bad at the time. Have you been to Red Emma's?
Poor dog. I hope the dog will be alright. He has no choice.
You are incredibly intellectual - being in management, you got this! I was physically addicted to pain pills many years ago, and had no clue how hard (or expected) to detox. I’m sending you lots of ❤ and 🙏🏻…
You're not the only one! I was given 14 days of Dilaudid and it took me 3 months to taper off them.
Very powerful story. Feel so sorry for her - there is a great book everyone should read “nickel and dimed”
I've never heard of that book. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
@@unheardvoices_official it’s a pleasure. It’s about how hard it is to get off the ground in America. I believe it was written in 1999 - the themes apply even more so today. Thanks for sharing the story of this poor lady.
Written by Barbara Ehrenreich, American journalist and socialist. She went undercover to find out how poor Americans lived. Like George Orwell did, in Down and Out in Paris and London.
I just googled the book, it looks like an interesting read.
@@timmytwotone65 I bought my copy in a thrift store not knowing what it was. Years later I find out it’s famous (in that genre)
Thank you for sharing your truth. I appreciate it.
She is a wise lady with a genuine good heart. ❤
Your story sister can help so so many!!! I pray you get outta this situation and someone with the means to get you off the streets and into a program, you would save many!!!
I will continue to pray for theses people💔🙏🏽
Bless you sweetie I have. A daughter out there 🧡🧡💫💫please try to get clean hun
I'm sorry to hear that. I'll be praying for your daughter. 🙏
@@unheardvoices_official thank you 🦋
I'll definitely be praying for your daughter also, each day that she's given to wake up there is hope
She is very wise. She should be clean and assisting others who were in her shoes. Prevention is key here.
I was in the same boat, at 40. Same reason. Didn’t do anything to get cut off pain meds. My doctor just “moved” suddenly. My guess is they made him resign, because he was not following prescribing guidelines my previous doctors did. That’s why I got physically dependent. He didn’t have us go off it, sometimes, so we wouldn’t build tolerance, and started with high dose treatment & went up.
Why are people constantly saying “she looks waaaay older.” That’s so mean . Obviously these poor people do age quick because they do not take care of themselves . What would you expect ?
I agree!
They're pretentious and judgemental!
Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis is brutal - unimaginable pain!!!
Poor woman, 🥺
It’s shocking it’s not mean! And the truth is the truth! We are one year apart and I mean look at the difference and I’m in recovery! I wish this world could be a better place for everybody!
i am so sorry for her and al others. i live with my mom when she is gone i dont know how i will live. this is not the life we wanted
This lady used to steal packages from South Baltimore to support her habit. She would get locked up and be right back out on the streets in a week or so. I feel bad for her.
Damn.
What an incredible lady
WOW @ time stamp 2:59 I can see this white orb moving in slowly and stays there for a while and I have no idea what would cause that .. SMH very cool for sure the way it moves across the bottom right corner. As soon as she said it's a sad situation about her mom that's when you see the orb move in the screen that wasn't there before.
It's a dust particle
It has a shadow. Think it's a piece of rubbish the wind blew into the shot.
It’s neither a dust particle or rubbish as neither of them should move like that plus it remains there during the video…The mind boggles.
I have took these 80 mg oxcontin What a nightmare to get off them Was addicted first time i took them
Yup. Led me to destruction when Pharma cut me off. Straight to dope. Grr
6+ years sober( very tuff) oxys create pain that really wasn't even there I think?
Continued prayers
Bless, Her Heart Great Interview My Friend 🙏💕🙏
Thanks so much, Jackie. 🙏
@@unheardvoices_officialYoure, Welcome 🙏♥️
That's real love for her dog. She's willing to be homeless for her dog.
My brother started to get clean then boom, died from an overdose.
💔
GOD BLESS YOU ❤
Man I got up to 3:30 mg Percocets a day. blues.. and that's when I got freaked out plus spending all that money is f****** stupid... had to go cold turkey but then I found Tianeptine, and after about 6 months on that I had to go cold turkey again... real life does suck but I feel that being addicted to something or having to need something everyday just to feel okay is way worse.,. also it takes a long time for you feel better. those cells in your body have to relearn and reproduce and it usually takes 7 years but eventually you'll feel better
We had a doctor here that did the same thing and the dea shut him down too
In Springfield Illinois on MacArthur his name was Dr Blum.
I am a HUGE animal lover and I get it. But if a dog is the only thing keeping you from getting your own Mom and brother into a safe house with food and protection. I would find another home for that animal.
I was floored when she said 40. She looks 60 and has no teeth. I dont want to shame her, but she should realize what these drugs are doing to her looks. Drug addiction seems to be genetic in her case 😢
Imagine what its doing on the inside
Yeah, her looks should be her number one priority
@@misstina1986yeah that should be her number one priority considering that she's homeless doesn't have anywhere to sleep doesn't have anything to eat or the ability to get decent meals her looks should definitely be her number one priority .....seriously
@@chavil73 I was being sarcastic. Sorry you didn't get it
You just did Shane the poor woman with this comment
Wow
I feel bad for her and her brother but her mother I feel for the most. She must be in her 60s.
she needs to see a dr she can be helped
Man I’m tryna place where they doin these interviews. It kinda looks like that old parking lot where the McDonald’s used to be on patapsco and Ritchie hwy (south Baltimore). Nonetheless. I been on these streets. Homeless same situation. There is hope. But the bottom line is this: we all live the life we choose to live. If you wanna get clean, you will get clean. When I was homeless strung out, it was nobody’s fault but mine. And I stayed out there cuz I wanted to shoot dope. The help was always there if I wanted it. Prayers up sister
I was homeless I'm Baltimore for 3 years
Get rid of the dog, help yourself.
40 ?
wow, she looks like 50/55 or more...
I couldn't believe it when she said she was 40. I'm going to be 48 and it's just unreal. I feel for her and her family so much, I wish I could help but I'm 2 steps away from being homeless myself at this point. Watching these videos, is rough.
I thought like 60. She def looks older than 50 for sure. It's sad though. I hope to see her get clean and improve. She would look better if she quit the drugs and lived a healthy life for a year with some diet and exercise. I doubt she's even healthy enough to exercise now, but with some work.
🙏♥️
🙏
🙏❤
🙏
I like this woman
This video was full of excuses
I’m sure her Mom is eligible for free housing…
Possibly, I thought the same thing. But may depend state to state…
@lori9204 waitlist for housing- senior or section 8 is about 5-6 years. About 3 years ago, one could not even get on the waitlist because it was closed. Housing is extremely difficult to access.
@@sldg4659 the addicts get it quickly…I don’t understand how our seniors don’t? They need it more…
her mother is 60 , surely sge can stand on her own 2 feet, I'm 66 I would be trying to find a house or room somewhere, sges not on drugs wgy is sge out there , abd arthritis doesn't mean you in agony everyday this woman is making every excuse in the book right down to the dog ,
Her mother, brother and dog are out there. Have some compassion.
Merry Christmas 🎄 how you doing today?
40 years old??? I thought she was in her 60's
So wait, that’s 4 ,20 mg’s ( milligrams) 4 times per day? Wow!! That’s crazy! 😢 I guess you did have to go to heroin. Yes the medical system is broken and is 100% in insurance companies hands.😢
She looks older than 40 maybe the drugs
Drugs/malnutrition/dehydration and sun damage to the skin everyday will age a person quickly. She also has other health issues. Sadly 🙏😞
She looks more like 60. 40 is almost hard to believe. It's the homelessness mostly, and then you add the drugs on top of that. She's only 40 and is already on medications and having health problems. So incredibly sad to see what the drugs have done to her.
Sad all 3 thoughts with to xxxxx
them 80 time green frisbees were Strong///
I can't be the only person who has no feelings about dogs. I don't dislike them, I don't like them, and I don't think about them if they are not around. Completely ambivalent.
You are definitely not and certainly a dog wouldn't stop me from getting some housing if I were on the streets
my dog is the biggest reason I haven't moved or done a lot of things. keeps me grounded and he's my best friend I ever had. its like having a kid, I can't over work or go out all the time cause I have to think about him and give him time too.
Not at all, I wouldn't let a pet stop me from getting back on my feet. It's called being a responsible adult
Me too! I am a cat person all the way. If I walk.into a house and there's a dog - Hi Dog ( pat pat on the head thats it,
@@NancyWestgate-gj7ev I feel that way about cats
Using the dog as a reason that you cant get off the street and go to a shelter is grade A bullshit 💯
Wow 40🥺
She said the dog is more important than her Mom because she wants her Mom's CHECK for drugs. She is blaming everything on the dog. 🙏😞
The ones who dont believe are mostly people who arent supportive and wouldnt give out a buck because they dont care but there cowards and wont voice truth they say oh there going to buy drugs or alcohol but you see thats not the i always give people where im from im responsible for extending my hand and giving what they decide to do with the money is on them i suffer with ailments myself im a new yorker 6th generation the most stand up and down to earth state we say what we mean and mean what we say of coursr with exceptions to the rule but in general and ive lived and been to about 34 other states in my life
Two atca time are ? Because thats not alot that's literally a subribed amount
I get so sick of the doctors being blamed. Yes, the dr prescribed, but the dr didn't "get her addicted."
The biological medication she requires costs between $3 - 6 thousand a month!
Don't be so ignorant, and Google her condition.
This is the systems/doctors fault - her pain is unimaginable to someone like you!
Ignorance is bliss! 🙄🥱.
Are you an addict? Just curious. Do you trust what your doctor says? If your doctor prescribes you a medication and never tells you it’s possible to get addicted the who’s fault is it?
whats booth mean? She said she did for money. Thanks
She did say "booth". I believe she meant "boost",
which means "to steal".
@@dianemarion2644 Thanks
Steal and resell in the streets. Boost/boosting
To steal then sell what you stole
@@girl-cb4cg Boost _ I miss heard her, thats why I didn't understand Thank You
Don't use the dog for an excuse, if you really want it, you will go to rehab, case closed. From a recovering addict myself, buddy.
Why can’t a sober 60 year old work? Her Mom isn’t elderly. She isn’t telling the truth.
Probably not, but that’s a different story… better to focus on the other parts of this video
Rheumatoid arthritis is usually a hereditary disease her mother might have it also our health might not be up to par is she might be mentally unstable considering her husband passed and her two kids are on the streets there are a lot of factors that don't just say go get a job but the one thing that we can have is compassion without judging that's how we move forward as a whole. I am My Brother's Keeper❤
She did not have a hard life at all. She made her mistakes with the weed and ecstacy.
Meh!
It's crazy how the 2nd female loves her dog so much she won't go to a shelter for help..smh..these folks are crazy over their animals...I would definitely ditch my dog for help..😂
Its a double whammy because if she does get clean, then what?? It would be a life rebuild of epic proportion. Is it possible? Definitely. Is it probable? Definitely not. When you go down this road of addiction, you're burning every bridge to your life. Its a cascading effect that becomes impossible to overcome. And it doesn't take long. If nothing else, these videos should be cautionary warning. Plain and simple.
She can do it. There is help here. I live in Baltimore. I am clean.
Is years old?! 😢