I’m a father, husband, homeowner of a modest house and have a stable job. Never knew my dad, mom was on drugs and was in foster care until emancipated at 17. Sean’s story resonated with me big time. Even though I am making it on the outside I struggle to pull it all together. It’s like my comfort zone is the struggle. I dabble here and there and need to get it right to turn the corner and give myself 100% instead of 50. I see wisdom in this dude and really has me in my feelings. Hoping to get it right. Much love to Sean and all my people in the struggle 💪
@@annaxefta587 Thanks Anna. Everyday is a new chance to move forward. Trying to keep that mindset. These stories definitely help to keep on keeping on 💯
This Man should be a Public Speaker for recovering addicts all over , not just in one town. His story could help so many. He will be in my daily prayers for a complete healing for the rest of his life. 🙏❤️
It has been well researched that the subconscious does not respond to deterrent examples, which is why, for example, the words smoking kills or pictures of smoker's lungs on cigarette packets do nothing for nicotine addicts and are therefore nonsense.
@@helenaneumann1872 I believe it can make a difference. Growing up, I saw people close to me using hard drugs and that was enough for me not to. I was not perfect by any means either, I smoked, smoked marijuana, drank but their actions scared me enough from dabbling in anything heavy.
@@helenaneumann1872 That's completely different from a person who has actually gone through it themselves and managed to pull themselves together in the end. It's not scare mongering deterrence for kids, it's actual former addicts speaking to current and recovering addicts and letting them know that it IS possible to get better when they don't believe they can change. Addicts in successful recovery sharing their stories with people who are CURRENTLY addicted or struggling to stay clean is very important. It's not at all comparable to scare ads or a DARE program for kids and average people...those don't work. This is for people who have already lived the horrors of addiction and is meant to give hope more than to scare them. An addict already knows how horrible addiction is, they don't need scaring.
@@WinterReflections I agree with you. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics are based, among other things, on the principle of supporting one another in abstinence and encouraging one another to make it work. In that sense, clean addicts help clean addicts and those who are struggling. The portrait is again about the question of why relapses occur. My comment was in reference to that and that addicts like Sean are not kept from relapsing simply by knowing about the bad side effects. The drugs change the brain metabolism in such a way that a relapse is possible. The clean addict must be prepared for this, as must doctors and therapists.
"That's my teeth, not pills." He's got a good sense of humor despite his struggles. He's also very insightful. Wise. Powerful story. Should share his story in public forums.
Never get sick of these stories. 100,000 died from just opiate ODs last year, nevermind crack, cocain, alcohol and among others. Deaths doubled in just a couple years. It will continue to increase exponentially as it has been
Tho is Sean- and I will read all the comments & thanks everyone I really wanted to answer everyone but over 500 comments in 2 days I’ll never make it! So this is one big THANKS to all the kind comments. A lot of you said I should speak in schools or something and I did kind of- for a while my AA friend took people into a youth prison to talk. Now you do those things at your own expense- there’s no compensation! But it was rewarding. These were 12 & 14 year old inner city youths who had done bad enough stuff to already be in prison- And it was crazy… every time they were all like You mean you DONT DRINK & smoke weed?? Like they had no idea that was even possible!! So I would love to do more of that. For those of you who thought it sounded canned or whatever… try talking about your life. The story doesn’t change. I consider myself a complete F up still and always will. My choices hurt a lot of people & im not proud of them. But it all happened and it’s what I went through & what I put people through & if you’re trying to stay well & stay alive you can not go through life crying, I’ll get high. So I own my shit but I don’t walk around talking about it with any pride- I am completely ashamed of how I acted. I wish I made better choices but all of that is history. I can say this if I’m not using today I can have a decent life. Life without shame of I’m doing today. That’s the best I can offer. But thank you all anyway. So long as you’re not being mean to be mean it has some truth. But hey- I’m ok today. 👌🏿🤷🏿♀️
I think you acted like that because you didn't get the opportunity to learn how to love and take care of yourself. You needed desperately some relieve and drugs gave you that. Don't be hard on yourself. You can still prove yourself that you can lead a good life, don't let blame and guilt prevent you from having the life you deserve to have. The fact that your parents tried their best when u were a child doesn't necessarily mean they were good parents. You had some necessities and they couldn't help you with those, probably because of their own limitations, not because they didn't love you. And that made you incapable of managing your emotions and turning to drugs. So again, don't be hard on yourself. Forgiveness is the key. You deserve a great life 😊❤️
Sean, don't be ashamed!!! You made some bad decisions in life, we all do!!! You are so strong, you stopped and you changed your life and the lives of the people who love you!!! You are honest, you own your mistakes and you don't make excuses!! You are helping so many people who are watching you talk about your life and how you decided to turn it around 💯 Even if only one or two people choose to benefit from your raw,honest, no excuses interview!!! Then you saved two people who were heading to a very short and miserable life. You should be very proud of yourself and I hope you live your life with your family and your lady to the fullest ❤️ I wish you health and happiness!!!! What an amazing inspiration you are. You are so strong and very brave ❤️ Thank you so much for caring for yourself and for people you don't even know!!! God Bless You 🙏 You deserve the best life has to offer and you are responsible for that and all of the wonderful changes you have made in your life. You are so worth it!!!! Thank you so much ❤️
I learned so much about myself and people in general through this youtube channel, its amazing, life changing, I think this is my second comment ever on RUclips, Thank you Mark, your making a big impact on society
I used to think that 'only-shit' happened to me . . . . . then this channel put things into perspective & taught me my 'oh-so-important' life-issues are actually minuscule compared to some of the trauma & tragedy, some of these people have been through! BTW, have you watched the upload called 'Marisol' & 'A life on Drugs-Jamie' . . . they will change your life !
Give this man a job helping people in recovery. Sean, you’re humility and gratitude are so damn beautiful, its so nice to see a success story like yours. Mark, can we get a follow up?
I agree! Can we go with “his experience”, instead of “his truth”, though? There is only one truth and it isn’t relative to each person. It’s in the very nature of the word. If I call something “my truth”, that would be silly, as the truth is the truth is the truth. “He owned his experience”, though, that checks out. It may seem pedantic, but saying “his truth” or “my truth”, etc. is not an innocent linguistic trend. It’s a change of language with a specific purpose that has clearly also had a widespread effect on thought, and there’s no more dangerous thought than the idea that truth is relative.
More so than the majority of drug addicts. I strive to do the same and studying God’s Word has helped me sooooo much . And others as well if you haven’t given it a shot it’s worth the time
I've been to many rehabs....overcame a 12 year opioid addiction....went to meetings for years....met/talked to hundreds of addicts. One thing I've learned is almost every addict has trauma....myself included. We have a spiritual/mental pain inside that is so great and unbearable, that we need to get high to escape the way we feel. Childhood trauma is the root of most (not all) of these addiction problems. Another thing I learned is most addicts are brilliant people.
Yes, I have complex trauma, complex ptsd...if it weren't for physical pain I would be free. But opiates treat my pain, physical and emotional, it treats my depression, and fatigue. If they make something better they're keeping to themselves.
@@miapdx503 Several of my family members have chronic pain conditions so I'm interested in new types of relief for them. I just read an article on Naloxone for pain which is mentioned by the UofM and the Cleaveland Clinic. It's commonly used for alcoholism. Not supposed to get high or addicted.
@@marylougeorge9890If you regularly use Naloxone you WILL become addicted and dependent. But if you need it to function and relieve chronic pain it’s a necessary evil imo. It’s also way easier to get and cheaper than hard drugs allowing you to function rather easily while on it. It also doesn’t make you a zombie like methadone.
*The way this man takes ownership of his choices and the sincerity in his voice is incredibly moving and inspiring!! I agree with another comment-this man should be a motivational speaker!*
Good for him hopefully he stays clean. He is very smart and can do good for himself. He sounds like the guy who can help other people come clean and save lives. Keep your head up stay clean man.
As Pam Wilkerson said below...some city, county, province needs to put him on the payroll to go around talking to kids at schools explaining his life and what drugs have done to him. He is very easy to listen to and I think kids could relate to how easy he is to listen to. Good luck to you bro.
This is important. Real life testimony's that were hard and emotional as a kid are what got the message into my brain. So glad my elementary and middle schools did that instead of something like D.A.R.E because having real people being so raw about their hurt and pain really got the message across in my little kid brain and I remember feeling so freaking sad for the family and friends and the addicts themselves I was crying up a storm as a little kid. He would be an amazing speaker to the children.
I know the addiction is terrible, but man he also said he was functional. Do you think that if was legal and given out like a prescription. He would have not lost his life ?
@@tune1r Ask certain places in Canada where the homeless and drug/addicted can legally get hard drugs and do them under the supervision of nurses at specific stations set up for doing so. I don’t say “ask them” because there’s one objective answer to whether it’s working and doing more good than bad or not, but because what you ask/propose is being done there already in these places and your answer would be found in researching them and forming your own opinion. MY (completely subjective) opinion is that yes, making something safer to get will lessen the deaths from having to get it via sketchy methods, however, there are, in many ways, fates worse than dying, like being absolutely dependent upon a drug until the day you die, with a government enabling you along the way out of fear of not seeming progressive enough. But that’s just my opinion, and I could easily be persuaded otherwise should the evidence be substantive. Hope you find your answers.
I feel so much love, empathy and compassion For the underdog, the underbelly. These videos fill me with so much love and a deeper awareness.. all I want is to give it away to the people who need it. Thank you mark and interviewees.
Another example of how drugs destroy bodies, social skills and human relationships. Sean doesn't go into detail when he talks about the concepts of rehabilitation, but one thing is for sure, drug addicts should be prepared in clinics and aftercare for relapse and how to deal with it. I wish Sean a healthy future...
Dude the track marks on his legs are epic. Holy unsafe needle practice. I shot dope for 6 years and never had any problems with abscesses or anything else. Im just glad im sober and made it out alive. Fuck addiction, its way too exhausting.
Shawn you are a good man. Your story is compelling unflinching honest and well articulated. Everyone who watches this comes away feeling affection and hope for you. Congratulations Shawn on the choices you are making now. If I were a believer I would think the priest who deflected your life is suffering for his choices.
Mark I'm here on this one I am a recovering crack and pill attack I was raised in a pentecostal holiness church all my life in other words I was borned with a gold spoon in my mouth I quite school in the 10 grade and I'm also from Huntington Wva and proud to say I've been clean 14 teen years 💯🥰❤👏👌👍
Sean just wanted to shout out to let you know I see you and believe in you! Being in and out the rooms I can tell you have learned so much there, and so true about having the life you want and drugs, you cannot have both! Much love from New Haven ct!
Wow. You can have all of it. I am 49 years old and am so scared of starting over. I am a strong worker. Sean, I think you made my day. Thank you so much. I didn't bang it like you but I sucked on that glass pipe plenty. Thank you, Sean. You just gave me hope. And I am one decision away from sitting on a dirty couch. I want help but I hate taking it.
I've been to 2 rehabs. Very humbling. Maybe that's the answer to how long is long enough in rehab? Till you are humbled. Self reflection is what rehab offered me. Time away from addiction to get cleaned up and learn how to love yourself enough to choose to stay away from the drugs that make you so ashamed. I'm not perfect today but due to rehab I have more guiding truths then I use to.
As a previous Roxy, Dilaudid, and heroin addict I really like this man's story. I'm coming up on four years clean in July and he reminds me of my ex fiance and my daughters father who passed away from fentanyl. I agree with get as much rehab as possible. However there are also tons of alternatives for addicts that I want to share. I'm in the process of making a RUclips channel to talk about this kind of stuff and to help others in addiction and who struggle with recovery. I've been watching this channel awhile and watch a lot of the addicts interviewed, but this guy I can relate to and love the way he tells his story. I hope to someday be able to help and reach any addict in need and wanting their life back.
@@andrewarellano9211 There's AA, and NA of course. Then methadone and Suboxone. But the route I went was vivitrol. It's for opiate and alcohol addicts. It's a shot you get each month that is the most powerful opiate blocker. If you try to overpower the threshold you can overdose and die. It's a six month shot for those who need extreme measure to quit. I took it for 9 months.
I understand what he means when he says that he saw an old friend and instantly thought about getting high. When I was shooting smack, I’d make the decision to get clean and before I’d realize what was going on, I was pushin the plunger down on the syringe that was protruding from my arm. I’d wonder how I went from wanting sobriety to shooting up in a matter of seconds. It was like an involuntary reflex or a nervous twitch or something. I felt doomed. Hopeless. Thank God my family never gave up on me.
@@marylougeorge9890 Yep😢 Sadly it's so true. I've been clean for a long time now, and I never have urges anymore, but I do know that it's somewhere deep inside me. So I have to be real careful as to not even say to myself "only this one time,and I won't do it no more" cause if I do..I know I'll lose, and that nasty little addictive personality will come to the surface and take over. So as long as I don't play around, I'll be fine👍
@@wesleyAlan9179 That's wisdom. Facing our Deepest truth takes guts. I like you because you've come so far and your family is more precious to you than anything. I have big respect for you.🤗❤️❤️
Wow! This story really reminded me of myself! I'm a recovering heroin and morphine addict and I used for 10 yrs. I've gotten clean 3 times but this is The longest I've ever stayed clean. I'm 15 months clean. But I do not plan to ever relapse! I'm just now learning to live again.
Yea I’ve struggled for 24 yrs with opiates. You gotta replace the high with something that makes you happy and ideally something physical. Congrats on 15 mos. that’s awesome
@@whitefang112 wow! That's a long time man. I totally get it though!! Thank you so much!! I'm still working hard mentally to overcome every obstacle life has put in my path without using!! It's literally learning to live in a totally different way all over again!! I lost my man of 11 yrs off n on in May of 2021 from complications due to a bad shot! I have scars all over from staph from misses etc. It's truly heartbreaking 💔 to be in active addiction! 😢 I'm so grateful 🙏 God gave me another chance!
Just that 1 beer that took him off to another downward spiral to even more harder drugs . Once an addict always an addict. In recovery for alcoholism early days again over the merry-go-round 🙏
Eh, Alcohol has the potential to be far worse than crack even. Especially if you drink to the point where the withdrawals could kill you/cause seizures. It's also super cheap and readily available almost 247, imagine if you could buy heroin at the gas station anytime.
Omg Sean, a man thats been thrown a life line so many times. How sad is this story. No such thing as heroin, all deadly killer fentenyl. Mom and Dad in their 80's. Heartbreaking for them. 🙏 🙏 🙏 to your Precious parents. Just can't decrease . Prayers to recovery.. thank you Mark for introducing us to Sean
i am from connecticut. my father passed away when i was 16 from a heroin and cocaine overdose. may 29th will be 5 years. i am wishing the best for this man in his journey. same for my mother, she is struggling with addiction to pcp as we speak.
Really inspiring story from such a great guy, very conscious of his life and at least during the interview times he seams to be quite down to earth. Having been 28 years on and off Heroin I totally understand him. All the best man!
I pray I don't end up going back again. I'm on my second round clean and I could honestly see myself continously screwing up. No matter how much I have it together I swear it's just meeting one idiot away from loosing it all again.
Doesn’t matter how long you have! People that say that you could put dope in front of them and they wouldn’t be tempted are only fooling themselves. It’s a day by day process no matter how long you have clean. The trick is to make choices where you don’t get into those situations
This interview shows exactly why addiction is classified as a disease. He is powerless . One is too many and a thousand never enough. I have hope that grace will grant him sobriety soon .
Feeling you Sean, thank you for sharing. Truly cant count on anyone besides yourself, gotta be prepared to leave this world at any time...especially lately. Wishing you all the best.
He’s dropping a lot of knowledge here. Best practices do recommend Longer periods of time in treatment, the longer they will be sober. Proud of him…it’s not easy.
I think sobriety comes down to one thing…DISCIPLINE. Choosing to make the “right” choice over and over….which requires an obsessive determination to want to change.
Thanks for sharing your story and not blaming others for your addiction. I pray you will stay clean and sober and have a chance at reuniting with your family.
Enthralled with these narratives because it shows that even though some of these stories can sound like outliers, through each thread there are maladies & issues mentioned that are utterly mainstream. Feel like I know this guy. In college, on a career path, & just general everyday life this represents smart friends I’ve had (often the kind of smarts and intelligence that is above average), friends I currently have, and sometimes have lost along the way. Thank you for sharing. It’s meaningful and got me to think and feel clearly for a spell during my noisy day.
Best of luck and really thanks for sharing. I have ZERO addictions at least none of the really “bad” ones … but I really appreciate these stories and the humans behind them.
As soon as he started talking, I new where this guy was from. We called them package stores too. His story is very sad. The world can be a rotten place of predators and wasted opportunity. My condolences to Sean, it sounds awful to have been in his shoes. Needless misery is a blight on humanity.
The part people forget is that rehab doesn’t get addicts clean. Addicts get themselves clean, rehab just helps provide some tools to accomplish the task. That is why forcing people into rehab doesn’t work. That is why the people who get clean while in rehab and continue abstinence afterwards are usually the same people who legitimately want to stop. They are usually the people who are tired of the lifestyle, tired of treading water and trying to survive. The success rates for rehab and aa are both comical and it’s because there isn’t 1 road to sobriety just like there isn’t 1 road into addiction. What worked for me may not work for you, and what worked for you is probably not gunna work for me. Treatment should be just as personalized as the addiction. ✌️💚🙏
Here in Italy rehabs programs run from 2 and a half to 4 years. I myself completed a 2 and a half stayed clean another 2and relapsed anyway. Completed 2 short ones in 🇬🇧 UK and relapsed. It's hard, even if rehabs are failing you, at least you get an opportunity to sober up and allow body and mind to rest and recharge. Those 60- 90 days rehabs are almost useless
I don't even wanna finish this interview man. I hate hearing about unfair divorces, shit pisses me the fuck off. Such a messed up system and it happens literally all the time.
I think this guy is pretty cool. I used heroin for 10 years (never injecting, tho), throughout all of college and 2 Masters Degrees. I ended up homeless in 2016 after escaping domestic violence a few times. I got on Suboxone, and haven't relapsed since. I worked as a Behavioral Therapist for Autistic children for a few years, but that place ended up becoming toxic and everyone (including all 5 licenced teachers) quit, and I ended up living in the woods in Boston for the past 3 years (after a second ex-marine alcoholic roommate attacked me in 2019, like in 2016). I got on Section 8 housing a month ago, after a special list was created in 2020 for people living outside during COVID with chronic homelessness. I'm healthier and happier than I ever thought possible, and Section 8 has allowed me to finally start healing from the PTSD that caused me to use heroin in the first place.
You can see the pain in his face when he tells his childhood trauma, I felt the same when I had counselling, it’s hard to tell all but can heal your mind when you do, my younger brother drank himself to death over the incident that affected all 3 children. Our alcoholic parents were of no help ever…. I rarely drink as I never wanted to be like the drunken, fighting pair of adults that were supposed to protect us as defenceless children. Bless him, hope he stays clean 🙏🏻❤️
As a heroin addict thats been in recovery for 3 years i love this mans story. Im the black sheep of my family as well, although im doing extremely well now. One thing ive never gotten into though was the n/a thing and doing step work. I got clean by myself, with subs
I know the goal is awareness. I think we need to start caring more about our children and the next generation. So many systemic issues, many different ways we can blame people, but honestly blaming doesn't solve or fix this. So many people didn't have to go this route if they had a decent chance at growing up. I fear parenting keeps getting more and more relaxed over the years, and I don't think it's a good thing. I don't have kids yet, but if I did, I would take it so seriously because at that point life is no longer about you. Maybe it's because I've been through this. I've gotten clean on my own with zero help, I've been trafficked and I've been exploited. I was adopted, I know how cruel this world can be. But I also know you create your own reality and your life. Your mind is such a powerful tool. It's all about how you use it. I don't have time for people's excuses because I know what I'm capable of and I know what others could be capable of. This is a country issue, it's not just a "fringe" issue. We need to start working on keeping those in power in check, and helping our fellow neighbors. We can't change the world until we change ourselves.
He's a fine looking man. He's nice plus funny. I worked with Addicts some of them were lovely but others weren't. But I never judged them as we all have a story to tell regardless whether been an Addict or not. Well done to the that guy for talking openly about his life. Fair play. Greetings from the West of Ireland 😁
Young children do not have the vocabulary or words to relay the trauma of sexual abuse most times and then they tend to absorb the guilt and responsibility for what has happened to them; HORRENDOUS bc the rapists are well aware of this and then there are direct threats and the grooming. CRINGE TO THE MAX. PURE EVIL.
Awesome story Sean. I'm so glad you dont have to live that life anymore and I have full faith that you will make it from here on out. I myself am an ex addict now three years clean at 48 years old and you and I are both living proof that ppl can change after decades of drug abuse and also that it is never too late. I know you said youre not a God man, but maybe you should consider the possibility that someone is looking out for you....
It embarrasses me to be Catholic. Appalling atrocities. Such damage inflicted. For so long. No other religion has such a disgraceful past. Can’t believe so many of our followers continue rationalize and look the other way. In so deep. I am so out.
Don't feel too bad about being Catholic. In my teens, I dated a girl in Florida who went to a pentecostal church. Later, I learned that she told a co-worker that a minister had an affair with her mother and also molested her. Stories like that happen in all denominations.
I was raised catholic. I despise the “ religion “. Never experienced abuse per say but I hated going. Such a fake denomination. Change rules every time they get a new Pope. I love the Lord. I am non denomination. Real stuff!!! I know a lot of people suffer from “catholic guilt “ I’ll be damned if a human being that walks this earth will put me on a guilt trip over “ religion “ ideology!
@@susancarver7339 My father was a post-Puritan minister. Think Unitarian. I share your criticisms of the Catholic Church! For example, my mother worked in Boston with people who would ask a priest whether they were allowed to read a book that interested them. However, I have come to see through Protestant claims to be the true church.
@@TheHunterGracchus Exactly. When I was three, the husband of the woman who ran the in-home daycare my parents used molested me. And the creep happened to work at the same place my mother worked, and attended the same parish we did. When he was confronted, he blamed his 17 year old son -- as if a three year old could not say "Mr. Predator did it" and be believed. My parents went to the police, but they said I would be more psychologically damaged by court proceedings and prosecution so it would be better to drop it and move on. This was the 1970's. I feel sick inside when I hear about people having been abused by a priest. But predators will seek whatever pathway to their victims, so if it's not through the Church, it will be through schools, coaching teams, after-school activities, family members, their wife's in-home daycare.
Mark you need to find way more success stories now!! There's so many ppl out here with success stories, lets give the sad song a rest. Lets not forget about the ppl out here that are stong and over came there abuse and addiction stories. Not that im knocking the bad stories NO!! But lets not forget the ppl that deserves there recognition of success.
I totally get what you mean, but.... Society, in general, praises and shares stories of success very readily already. There are lots of avenues for that. Just in and of itself, the people that are “success stories” live on and often have some form of platform to display their success That’s not what this channel is. This is giving voice to the parts that mostly go overlooked. What it looks like when there really is no hope of “success”. Because, the only way that type of success will happen, is if the conditions which created the failure are stopped at the roots. That’s what this is trying to do
Im not seeking nothing for me, i grew up in a broken disfunctional family, till this day all my family dont speak to eachother. And if they do speak to eachother it ends up real bad all over again. I was o e of the very fortunate person to come out on top dispite pf all the shit my family put me through. Broken ppl need to see more success stories so that they can see for there own eyes that they CAN also come out on top. Be winners and not what our parents kept telling us that were loosers. Were not loosers, theres nothing wrong with us at all. I love what Mark is doing. I hope he keeps on doing what he is doing because America needs to wake the fuck up and stop helping ever dam country and help its own, instead of negotiating us. For ever good theres bad and for every bad theres good, we have been watching a whole lot of bad maybe we mark can also show America and the broken harted and souls out here that good can previle we can make it out of the shit hole we grew up in. Granted not all can do it i understand that cuz some wombs cant be healed. But There are a shit load of us out here that can do it, can change our lifes around. We just need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and ppl need to stop babying us. Tuff love. Ppl may not liking hearing that vut its the fuckin truth!! Im out SWU
I can so relate to him what he said about veins and getting blood drawn. I have Lyme disease I have been getting tested and treatment and it is so embarrassing to have them try to hunt and poke and try to find a vein. I actually talked one technician into giving me the needle and letting me do it and I hit a vein in the first try. It makes me feel very embarrassed and ashamed.
Yessssss! 1 decision away from it! Choosing spirit and ascend instead of choosing to go down the slide… choosing life 🤩👍🏽 on purpose , instead of drugs. Addiction …. The tangled web we weave…. We work on it the rest of our lives… keep choosing life on purpose✨🌌 it’s a magical ride if you go with it
I've been trying to get off of the liquid handcuffs at the clinic for 8 years... I draw disability over injuries I sustained from my ex husband beating the utter crap out of me for 20 years. Methadone is so hard to get off of, and I use it for pain , but I'm so sick of being held down by having to go everyday. I'm scared of the withdrawal, I've tried to quit 3 times by taking shorter acting opiates bc they're easier to kick. After withdrawing 3 times, I would catch every sickness going around. Strep throat, stomach viruses, flu.. whatever. When I'd never get sick like that while on methadone. I always went back bc I couldn't take it anymore. I'm just sick of being on something. I have extreme pain and I'd love to get where ibuprofen or something helped .
I used to be a harm reduction worker and you're right, Methadone can help people get their life back but it is actually worse for your body than good quality heroin. It will cut your life short with long-term use. Maybe ask your doctor about the drug he mentions, gabapetin. It helps with neuropathic pain and anxiety and is relatively benign.
I wish you well Carrie. If you come down really slow like 5 mg every couple weeks you can do it. Amino acid supplements from gnc mixed in water helped me a ton. I was on meth 8 years
I’m just finishing a video-someone suggested I do on here after my interview-on my little channel about exactly this. I was on methadone on and off for 17 years. And it’s a lot easier to get off if you do a few simple adjustments. Now the thing is pain. I have plates and screws and after Methadone I’ve never been able to get my pain under control. I started on gabapentin and moved up to lyrica, but no dice. It’s going to have to be something you figure out yourself: whether it’s worth it or not to quit forever.But it’s definitely worth it to find out!
Set aside about a month where you can just lay around and kick. Google the thomas recipe. It can be done, I am proof. Not easy at all but definitely worth it
I’m a father, husband, homeowner of a modest house and have a stable job. Never knew my dad, mom was on drugs and was in foster care until emancipated at 17. Sean’s story resonated with me big time. Even though I am making it on the outside I struggle to pull it all together. It’s like my comfort zone is the struggle. I dabble here and there and need to get it right to turn the corner and give myself 100% instead of 50. I see wisdom in this dude and really has me in my feelings. Hoping to get it right. Much love to Sean and all my people in the struggle 💪
🙏🙏
I hope u get the peace one day soon
@@gailgarcia8782 appreciate you Gail
@@annaxefta587 Thanks Anna. Everyday is a new chance to move forward. Trying to keep that mindset. These stories definitely help to keep on keeping on 💯
Hang in there & keep up the good job!!!
This Man should be a Public Speaker for recovering addicts all over , not just in one town. His story could help so many. He will be in my daily prayers for a complete healing for the rest of his life. 🙏❤️
It has been well researched that the subconscious does not respond to deterrent examples, which is why, for example, the words smoking kills or pictures of smoker's lungs on cigarette packets do nothing for nicotine addicts and are therefore nonsense.
@@helenaneumann1872 I believe it can make a difference. Growing up, I saw people close to me using hard drugs and that was enough for me not to. I was not perfect by any means either, I smoked, smoked marijuana, drank but their actions scared me enough from dabbling in anything heavy.
@@helenaneumann1872 That's completely different from a person who has actually gone through it themselves and managed to pull themselves together in the end. It's not scare mongering deterrence for kids, it's actual former addicts speaking to current and recovering addicts and letting them know that it IS possible to get better when they don't believe they can change. Addicts in successful recovery sharing their stories with people who are CURRENTLY addicted or struggling to stay clean is very important. It's not at all comparable to scare ads or a DARE program for kids and average people...those don't work. This is for people who have already lived the horrors of addiction and is meant to give hope more than to scare them. An addict already knows how horrible addiction is, they don't need scaring.
@@WinterReflections I agree with you. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics are based, among other things, on the principle of supporting one another in abstinence and encouraging one another to make it work. In that sense, clean addicts help clean addicts and those who are struggling. The portrait is again about the question of why relapses occur. My comment was in reference to that and that addicts like Sean are not kept from relapsing simply by knowing about the bad side effects. The drugs change the brain metabolism in such a way that a relapse is possible. The clean addict must be prepared for this, as must doctors and therapists.
@@anitavond2826 Good on you!
I have learned through your videos that it is exhausting to be an addict. Thank you, Mark.
it is extremely exhausting, the struggle is real and constant
Extremely
Best thing about getting sober is you get to get off the hampster wheel.
Exhausting and lonely
Full time job. It sucks.
Thank you for sharing Sean. Our secrets keep us sick. Keep telling your story. Service is the key to our sobriety!!!
"That's my teeth, not pills." He's got a good sense of humor despite his struggles. He's also very insightful. Wise. Powerful story. Should share his story in public forums.
I like him. He's just a very likable dude. So sad he had that childhood trauma, it really destroyed his life. I am sick of these stories 😪
Never get sick of these stories. 100,000 died from just opiate ODs last year, nevermind crack, cocain, alcohol and among others. Deaths doubled in just a couple years. It will continue to increase exponentially as it has been
Childhood trauma affects you sub consciously throughout your entire life. It helps to see a therapist.
Childhood trauma didn't ruin his life, he did. Childhood trauma just aided him.
he's is on drugs right now, you can tell by all the itching and scratching he was doing
@@populisttrope9385 some prescription drugs can be just as bad for you as street drugs.
Tho is Sean- and I will read all the comments & thanks everyone I really wanted to answer everyone but over 500 comments in 2 days I’ll never make it! So this is one big THANKS to all the kind comments. A lot of you said I should speak in schools or something and I did kind of- for a while my AA friend took people into a youth prison to talk. Now you do those things at your own expense- there’s no compensation! But it was rewarding. These were 12 & 14 year old inner city youths who had done bad enough stuff to already be in prison- And it was crazy… every time they were all like You mean you DONT DRINK & smoke weed?? Like they had no idea that was even possible!! So I would love to do more of that. For those of you who thought it sounded canned or whatever… try talking about your life. The story doesn’t change. I consider myself a complete F up still and always will. My choices hurt a lot of people & im not proud of them. But it all happened and it’s what I went through & what I put people through & if you’re trying to stay well & stay alive you can not go through life crying, I’ll get high. So I own my shit but I don’t walk around talking about it with any pride- I am completely ashamed of how I acted. I wish I made better choices but all of that is history. I can say this if I’m not using today I can have a decent life. Life without shame of I’m doing today. That’s the best I can offer. But thank you all anyway. So long as you’re not being mean to be mean it has some truth. But hey- I’m ok today. 👌🏿🤷🏿♀️
I think you acted like that because you didn't get the opportunity to learn how to love and take care of yourself. You needed desperately some relieve and drugs gave you that. Don't be hard on yourself. You can still prove yourself that you can lead a good life, don't let blame and guilt prevent you from having the life you deserve to have. The fact that your parents tried their best when u were a child doesn't necessarily mean they were good parents. You had some necessities and they couldn't help you with those, probably because of their own limitations, not because they didn't love you. And that made you incapable of managing your emotions and turning to drugs. So again, don't be hard on yourself. Forgiveness is the key. You deserve a great life 😊❤️
Sean, don't be ashamed!!! You made some bad decisions in life, we all do!!! You are so strong, you stopped and you changed your life and the lives of the people who love you!!! You are honest, you own your mistakes and you don't make excuses!! You are helping so many people who are watching you talk about your life and how you decided to turn it around 💯 Even if only one or two people choose to benefit from your raw,honest, no excuses interview!!! Then you saved two people who were heading to a very short and miserable life. You should be very proud of yourself and I hope you live your life with your family and your lady to the fullest ❤️ I wish you health and happiness!!!! What an amazing inspiration you are. You are so strong and very brave ❤️ Thank you so much for caring for yourself and for people you don't even know!!! God Bless You 🙏 You deserve the best life has to offer and you are responsible for that and all of the wonderful changes you have made in your life. You are so worth it!!!! Thank you so much ❤️
I learned so much about myself and people in general through this youtube channel, its amazing, life changing, I think this is my second comment ever on RUclips, Thank you Mark, your making a big impact on society
This is a great channel and has opened my eyes about a lot
Yeah. I agree
It’s certainly opened up my eyes to how bad decisions can change your life. God knows everyone has made them,, Thank you Mark for all you do❤️
I used to think that 'only-shit' happened to me . . . . . then this channel put things into perspective & taught me my 'oh-so-important' life-issues are actually minuscule compared to some of the trauma & tragedy, some of these people have been through!
BTW, have you watched the upload called 'Marisol' & 'A life on Drugs-Jamie' . . . they will change your life !
Give this man a job helping people in recovery. Sean, you’re humility and gratitude are so damn beautiful, its so nice to see a success story like yours.
Mark, can we get a follow up?
One of the most honest and so open person that’s been on this channel recently I like him
Man! He owned his truth! Best wishes and prayers to him!
I agree! Can we go with “his experience”, instead of “his truth”, though? There is only one truth and it isn’t relative to each person. It’s in the very nature of the word. If I call something “my truth”, that would be silly, as the truth is the truth is the truth.
“He owned his experience”, though, that checks out.
It may seem pedantic, but saying “his truth” or “my truth”, etc. is not an innocent linguistic trend. It’s a change of language with a specific purpose that has clearly also had a widespread effect on thought, and there’s no more dangerous thought than the idea that truth is relative.
More so than the majority of drug addicts. I strive to do the same and studying God’s Word has helped me sooooo much . And others as well if you haven’t given it a shot it’s worth the time
I love his awareness & honesty “I had every opportunity given to me & I messed them all up” Hope he stays clean and does better for himself ❤️
I've been to many rehabs....overcame a 12 year opioid addiction....went to meetings for years....met/talked to hundreds of addicts. One thing I've learned is almost every addict has trauma....myself included. We have a spiritual/mental pain inside that is so great and unbearable, that we need to get high to escape the way we feel. Childhood trauma is the root of most (not all) of these addiction problems. Another thing I learned is most addicts are brilliant people.
Yes, I have complex trauma, complex ptsd...if it weren't for physical pain I would be free. But opiates treat my pain, physical and emotional, it treats my depression, and fatigue. If they make something better they're keeping to themselves.
@@miapdx503 Several of my family members have chronic pain conditions so I'm interested in new types of relief for them. I just read an article on Naloxone for pain which is mentioned by the UofM and the Cleaveland Clinic. It's commonly used for alcoholism. Not supposed to get high or addicted.
@@marylougeorge9890If you regularly use Naloxone you WILL become addicted and dependent. But if you need it to function and relieve chronic pain it’s a necessary evil imo. It’s also way easier to get and cheaper than hard drugs allowing you to function rather easily while on it. It also doesn’t make you a zombie like methadone.
*The way this man takes ownership of his choices and the sincerity in his voice is incredibly moving and inspiring!! I agree with another comment-this man should be a motivational speaker!*
Why is your font thicker than everyone else's? 😂
Damn, a few wrong decisions can snowball and screw up your path. It's good to have ppl around that care and want to help.
Good for him hopefully he stays clean. He is very smart and can do good for himself. He sounds like the guy who can help other people come clean and save lives. Keep your head up stay clean man.
As Pam Wilkerson said below...some city, county, province needs to put him on the payroll to go around talking to kids at schools explaining his life and what drugs have done to him. He is very easy to listen to and I think kids could relate to how easy he is to listen to. Good luck to you bro.
This is important. Real life testimony's that were hard and emotional as a kid are what got the message into my brain. So glad my elementary and middle schools did that instead of something like D.A.R.E because having real people being so raw about their hurt and pain really got the message across in my little kid brain and I remember feeling so freaking sad for the family and friends and the addicts themselves I was crying up a storm as a little kid. He would be an amazing speaker to the children.
He should also explain to the students what the Catholic priest did to him. The drug abuse is a result of his rape.
He has had so many successes in his life, so unfortunate that addiction cares nothing for your accomplishments. Stay on the straight and narrow!
There is something that keeps triggering him.
I know the addiction is terrible, but man he also said he was functional. Do you think that if was legal and given out like a prescription. He would have not lost his life ?
Well said in few words.
@@tune1r Good question.
@@tune1r Ask certain places in Canada where the homeless and drug/addicted can legally get hard drugs and do them under the supervision of nurses at specific stations set up for doing so.
I don’t say “ask them” because there’s one objective answer to whether it’s working and doing more good than bad or not, but because what you ask/propose is being done there already in these places and your answer would be found in researching them and forming your own opinion.
MY (completely subjective) opinion is that yes, making something safer to get will lessen the deaths from having to get it via sketchy methods, however, there are, in many ways, fates worse than dying, like being absolutely dependent upon a drug until the day you die, with a government enabling you along the way out of fear of not seeming progressive enough.
But that’s just my opinion, and I could easily be persuaded otherwise should the evidence be substantive.
Hope you find your answers.
Love this guy. Everything he spoke of made absolute sense. Wishing you the very best Sean!!
He so aware. Very smart man. He takes 100% ownership of his situation. Its heartbreaking that he was hurt so badly
I feel so much love, empathy and compassion For the underdog, the underbelly. These videos fill me with so much love and a deeper awareness.. all I want is to give it away to the people who need it. Thank you mark and interviewees.
Another example of how drugs destroy bodies, social skills and human relationships. Sean doesn't go into detail when he talks about the concepts of rehabilitation, but one thing is for sure, drug addicts should be prepared in clinics and aftercare for relapse and how to deal with it. I wish Sean a healthy future...
dont forget priests
Them damn priests ruining child’s lives for hundreds of years.
This man needs to have a follow up, multiple ones if possible!
Sean, i pray for your sobriety, and that you get to live the rest of your life good🙏🏻
Dude the track marks on his legs are epic. Holy unsafe needle practice. I shot dope for 6 years and never had any problems with abscesses or anything else. Im just glad im sober and made it out alive. Fuck addiction, its way too exhausting.
👊 yeh man. Fuck all that evil shit ✊
I respect this man for time and words. Thank you
I wish him all the best and success. The pain of continuing definitely has to be more than the pain of stopping. I do hope he continues with recovery.
These just keep getting better and better. My morning routine now consists of hot chocolate while working and listening to people’s stories! SO GOOD
His story speaks volumes indeed. Thanks Mark
Sounds very self-aware. Seems intelligent…. It’s amazing how these drugs will take anyone from every walk of life.
Born, raised, still in Connecticut and he’s absolutely right about everything he said!
@Tarziu Armanado-Liviu honestly, I’m not reading that! 😂
@*The Modstrobator* I wasn’t. Why do you think that?
Shawn you are a good man. Your story is compelling unflinching honest and well articulated. Everyone who watches this comes away feeling affection and hope for you. Congratulations Shawn on the choices you are making now. If I were a believer I would think the priest who deflected your life is suffering for his choices.
Mark I'm here on this one I am a recovering crack and pill attack I was raised in a pentecostal holiness church all my life in other words I was borned with a gold spoon in my mouth I quite school in the 10 grade and I'm also from Huntington Wva and proud to say I've been clean 14 teen years 💯🥰❤👏👌👍
Sean just wanted to shout out to let you know I see you and believe in you! Being in and out the rooms I can tell you have learned so much there, and so true about having the life you want and drugs, you cannot have both! Much love from New Haven ct!
Wow. You can have all of it. I am 49 years old and am so scared of starting over. I am a strong worker. Sean, I think you made my day. Thank you so much. I didn't bang it like you but I sucked on that glass pipe plenty. Thank you, Sean. You just gave me hope.
And I am one decision away from sitting on a dirty couch. I want help but I hate taking it.
I've been to 2 rehabs. Very humbling. Maybe that's the answer to how long is long enough in rehab? Till you are humbled. Self reflection is what rehab offered me. Time away from addiction to get cleaned up and learn how to love yourself enough to choose to stay away from the drugs that make you so ashamed. I'm not perfect today but due to rehab I have more guiding truths then I use to.
One of my favorite interviewees I’ve watched on this channel. You can tell in his face, he seems like a good man.
As a previous Roxy, Dilaudid, and heroin addict I really like this man's story. I'm coming up on four years clean in July and he reminds me of my ex fiance and my daughters father who passed away from fentanyl. I agree with get as much rehab as possible. However there are also tons of alternatives for addicts that I want to share. I'm in the process of making a RUclips channel to talk about this kind of stuff and to help others in addiction and who struggle with recovery. I've been watching this channel awhile and watch a lot of the addicts interviewed, but this guy I can relate to and love the way he tells his story. I hope to someday be able to help and reach any addict in need and wanting their life back.
what are the alternatives ???? help .
@@andrewarellano9211 There's AA, and NA of course. Then methadone and Suboxone. But the route I went was vivitrol. It's for opiate and alcohol addicts. It's a shot you get each month that is the most powerful opiate blocker. If you try to overpower the threshold you can overdose and die. It's a six month shot for those who need extreme measure to quit. I took it for 9 months.
I understand what he means when he says that he saw an old friend and instantly thought about getting high. When I was shooting smack, I’d make the decision to get clean and before I’d realize what was going on, I was pushin the plunger down on the syringe that was protruding from my arm. I’d wonder how I went from wanting sobriety to shooting up in a matter of seconds. It was like an involuntary reflex or a nervous twitch or something. I felt doomed. Hopeless. Thank God my family never gave up on me.
Insidious fucking disease we have! Best of Luck brother!
@@jackandlill it sure is! All rationality and logic is replaced by the very singular and overwhelming need for that nasty little drug.
@@BossCat42 The way of addiction of anything.
@@marylougeorge9890
Yep😢
Sadly it's so true. I've been clean for a long time now, and I never have urges anymore, but I do know that it's somewhere deep inside me. So I have to be real careful as to not even say to myself "only this one time,and I won't do it no more" cause if I do..I know I'll lose, and that nasty little addictive personality will come to the surface and take over. So as long as I don't play around, I'll be fine👍
@@wesleyAlan9179 That's wisdom. Facing our Deepest truth takes guts.
I like you because you've come so far and your family is more precious to you than anything. I have big respect for you.🤗❤️❤️
"I'm one decision away from it." Always interesting, thanks!
It's James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem!
Crazy story. Hope you stay clean, Sean. Thanks for the honesty. I think it's so important.
Wow! This story really reminded me of myself! I'm a recovering heroin and morphine addict and I used for 10 yrs. I've gotten clean 3 times but this is
The longest I've ever stayed clean. I'm 15 months clean. But I do not plan to ever relapse! I'm just now learning to live again.
Yea I’ve struggled for 24 yrs with opiates. You gotta replace the high with something that makes you happy and ideally something physical. Congrats on 15 mos. that’s awesome
@@whitefang112 wow! That's a long time man. I totally get it though!! Thank you so much!! I'm still working hard mentally to overcome every obstacle life has put in my path without using!! It's literally learning to live in a totally different way all over again!! I lost my man of 11 yrs off n on in May of 2021 from complications due to a bad shot! I have scars all over from staph from misses etc. It's truly heartbreaking 💔 to be in active addiction! 😢 I'm so grateful 🙏 God gave me another chance!
I’m glad for him. Thank you Mark!!! Always getting to the good ones. Stay well - Both of you.
Just that 1 beer that took him off to another downward spiral to even more harder drugs . Once an addict always an addict. In recovery for alcoholism early days again over the merry-go-round 🙏
It's the nature of the beast 🦾
🤜🏻☮️✝️🛐🤛🏾
Eh, Alcohol has the potential to be far worse than crack even. Especially if you drink to the point where the withdrawals could kill you/cause seizures. It's also super cheap and readily available almost 247, imagine if you could buy heroin at the gas station anytime.
We do recover though. Day by day and minute by minute. Congratulations on your sobriety 👌
What really surprises me is that, a lot of them actually have something smart to say at the end of the video.
Omg Sean, a man thats been thrown a life line so many times. How sad is this story. No such thing as heroin, all deadly killer fentenyl. Mom and Dad in their 80's. Heartbreaking for them. 🙏 🙏 🙏 to your Precious parents. Just can't decrease . Prayers to recovery.. thank you Mark for introducing us to Sean
i am from connecticut. my father passed away when i was 16 from a heroin and cocaine overdose. may 29th will be 5 years. i am wishing the best for this man in his journey. same for my mother, she is struggling with addiction to pcp as we speak.
Really inspiring story from such a great guy, very conscious of his life and at least during the interview times he seams to be quite down to earth.
Having been 28 years on and off Heroin I totally understand him. All the best man!
I pray I don't end up going back again. I'm on my second round clean and I could honestly see myself continously screwing up. No matter how much I have it together I swear it's just meeting one idiot away from loosing it all again.
Doesn’t matter how long you have! People that say that you could put dope in front of them and they wouldn’t be tempted are only fooling themselves. It’s a day by day process no matter how long you have clean. The trick is to make choices where you don’t get into those situations
I pray for your success. It's an ongoing battle, but every day you live sober is another victory...be victorious! 👊🏽🌹🙏🏼
No please don't.Stay away from people places and things you will make it.
You got it bro. I’ve been there and I believe in you! Stay up bud
The most important lesson i learned thru all the chaos of my addiction is that there is always hope.
This interview shows exactly why addiction is classified as a disease. He is powerless . One is too many and a thousand never enough. I have hope that grace will grant him sobriety soon .
Feeling you Sean, thank you for sharing. Truly cant count on anyone besides yourself, gotta be prepared to leave this world at any time...especially lately.
Wishing you all the best.
Another great story and lesson to be learned with it Mark- thanks!
probably the most important channel on youtube; what a consistently amazing project.
His bet about just having a beer and it spiraling is so, so true.
He’s dropping a lot of knowledge here. Best practices do recommend Longer periods of time in treatment, the longer they will be sober. Proud of him…it’s not easy.
what suprises me the most is how smart most of these people are! its like they cant handle reality
Opiate addicts are usually the sharpest.
I think sobriety comes down to one thing…DISCIPLINE. Choosing to make the “right” choice over and over….which requires an obsessive determination to want to change.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Should have a movie or novel.
Great story teller. Thanks for sharing this with us Mark
Love from Canada
He is likeable and honest.it comes across.I hope he figures it out.I understand and it’s quite hard.
He was rigorously honest for the first 55 seconds and I can relate 🙏
Thanks for sharing your story and not blaming others for your addiction. I pray you will stay clean and sober and have a chance at reuniting with your family.
This was a great interview. Thank you for all you do Mark.
Enthralled with these narratives because it shows that even though some of these stories can sound like outliers, through each thread there are maladies & issues mentioned that are utterly mainstream. Feel like I know this guy. In college, on a career path, & just general everyday life this represents smart friends I’ve had (often the kind of smarts and intelligence that is above average), friends I currently have, and sometimes have lost along the way. Thank you for sharing. It’s meaningful and got me to think and feel clearly for a spell during my noisy day.
Listening to him talking about recreating his entire life more than once made me think about what he could have used his abilities for.
He is very likable. I wish him the best
Sounds like a good guy. I definitely could be friends with him. Hope/pray his life continues to be great and that he stays clean.
Best of luck and really thanks for sharing. I have ZERO addictions at least none of the really “bad” ones … but I really appreciate these stories and the humans behind them.
Best wishes to him. He seems very good hearted. Super interesting and smart. Hope you do a follow up on him
As soon as he started talking, I new where this guy was from. We called them package stores too. His story is very sad. The world can be a rotten place of predators and wasted opportunity. My condolences to Sean, it sounds awful to have been in his shoes. Needless misery is a blight on humanity.
The part people forget is that rehab doesn’t get addicts clean. Addicts get themselves clean, rehab just helps provide some tools to accomplish the task. That is why forcing people into rehab doesn’t work. That is why the people who get clean while in rehab and continue abstinence afterwards are usually the same people who legitimately want to stop. They are usually the people who are tired of the lifestyle, tired of treading water and trying to survive. The success rates for rehab and aa are both comical and it’s because there isn’t 1 road to sobriety just like there isn’t 1 road into addiction. What worked for me may not work for you, and what worked for you is probably not gunna work for me. Treatment should be just as personalized as the addiction. ✌️💚🙏
Good regular dude. Reminds me of guys I grew up with. Some tough breaks. Wish him well.
The childhood stuff always has severe consequences.
@Tarziu Armanado-Liviu What the fuck are you talking about ? Relax dude. Wow.
I was hoping he would get back to the dead tour stories 💕
This is a ritual for me... I watch the SWU upload right before going to bed...
🔥🔥🔥💯I watch every morning when I wake 🔥🔥🔥
@@twinpyramid5985 same here!
@@Beaver-With-A-Chainsaw starts the day right🔥
Me too, every morning! 4:22am Denver time! Have a good night or and good day!
Yes. Fresh, realistic perspective.... Best part of waking up... Coffee and SWU 💯🎯 Forever thankful for this important work.
Here in Italy rehabs programs run from 2 and a half to 4 years. I myself completed a 2 and a half stayed clean another 2and relapsed anyway. Completed 2 short ones in 🇬🇧 UK and relapsed. It's hard, even if rehabs are failing you, at least you get an opportunity to sober up and allow body and mind to rest and recharge. Those 60- 90 days rehabs are almost useless
I don't even wanna finish this interview man. I hate hearing about unfair divorces, shit pisses me the fuck off. Such a messed up system and it happens literally all the time.
Same I could literally listen to another hour every day ✅🙏🇮🇪
I think this guy is pretty cool. I used heroin for 10 years (never injecting, tho), throughout all of college and 2 Masters Degrees. I ended up homeless in 2016 after escaping domestic violence a few times. I got on Suboxone, and haven't relapsed since. I worked as a Behavioral Therapist for Autistic children for a few years, but that place ended up becoming toxic and everyone (including all 5 licenced teachers) quit, and I ended up living in the woods in Boston for the past 3 years (after a second ex-marine alcoholic roommate attacked me in 2019, like in 2016). I got on Section 8 housing a month ago, after a special list was created in 2020 for people living outside during COVID with chronic homelessness. I'm healthier and happier than I ever thought possible, and Section 8 has allowed me to finally start healing from the PTSD that caused me to use heroin in the first place.
Thanks for your honesty.
Wish more people had your authenticity. Keep up the fight. 👍
honesty, gratitude... I love this guy
I hate drugs they ruin everything. Pretty sad listening but there is a lot to learn from him. Thank you for sharing Mark
Vintage MTV shirt is pretty cool
Sean, you are a realist and such an incredible inspiration to so many.
You can see the pain in his face when he tells his childhood trauma, I felt the same when I had counselling, it’s hard to tell all but can heal your mind when you do, my younger brother drank himself to death over the incident that affected all 3 children. Our alcoholic parents were of no help ever…. I rarely drink as I never wanted to be like the drunken, fighting pair of adults that were supposed to protect us as defenceless children.
Bless him, hope he stays clean 🙏🏻❤️
I'm sorry, honey. It's traumatic enough living with parents who constantly fight without adding other trauma.💔
As a heroin addict thats been in recovery for 3 years i love this mans story. Im the black sheep of my family as well, although im doing extremely well now. One thing ive never gotten into though was the n/a thing and doing step work. I got clean by myself, with subs
I know the goal is awareness. I think we need to start caring more about our children and the next generation. So many systemic issues, many different ways we can blame people, but honestly blaming doesn't solve or fix this. So many people didn't have to go this route if they had a decent chance at growing up. I fear parenting keeps getting more and more relaxed over the years, and I don't think it's a good thing. I don't have kids yet, but if I did, I would take it so seriously because at that point life is no longer about you. Maybe it's because I've been through this. I've gotten clean on my own with zero help, I've been trafficked and I've been exploited. I was adopted, I know how cruel this world can be. But I also know you create your own reality and your life. Your mind is such a powerful tool. It's all about how you use it. I don't have time for people's excuses because I know what I'm capable of and I know what others could be capable of. This is a country issue, it's not just a "fringe" issue. We need to start working on keeping those in power in check, and helping our fellow neighbors. We can't change the world until we change ourselves.
He's a fine looking man. He's nice plus funny. I worked with Addicts some of them were lovely but others weren't. But I never judged them as we all have a story to tell regardless whether been an Addict or not. Well done to the that guy for talking openly about his life. Fair play. Greetings from the West of Ireland 😁
That's your God
@Tarziu Armanado-Liviu That's your God
Young children do not have the vocabulary or words to relay the trauma of sexual abuse most times and then they tend to absorb the guilt and responsibility for what has happened to them; HORRENDOUS bc the rapists are well aware of this and then there are direct threats and the grooming. CRINGE TO THE MAX. PURE EVIL.
Awesome story Sean. I'm so glad you dont have to live that life anymore and I have full faith that you will make it from here on out. I myself am an ex addict now three years clean at 48 years old and you and I are both living proof that ppl can change after decades of drug abuse and also that it is never too late. I know you said youre not a God man, but maybe you should consider the possibility that someone is looking out for you....
This testimony flipped my life. With my mind
Really enjoyed this guys story! Update would be awesome in the future!
Thanks Sean for being so candid about life and addiction. Your a cool cool dude.
It embarrasses me to be Catholic. Appalling atrocities. Such damage inflicted. For so long. No other religion has such a disgraceful past.
Can’t believe so many of our followers continue rationalize and look the other way. In so deep.
I am so out.
Don't feel too bad about being Catholic. In my teens, I dated a girl in Florida who went to a pentecostal church. Later, I learned that she told a co-worker that a minister had an affair with her mother and also molested her. Stories like that happen in all denominations.
I was raised catholic. I despise the “ religion “. Never experienced abuse per say but I hated going. Such a fake denomination. Change rules every time they get a new Pope. I love the Lord. I am non denomination. Real stuff!!!
I know a lot of people suffer from “catholic guilt “ I’ll be damned if a human being that walks this earth will put me on a guilt trip over “ religion “ ideology!
@@susancarver7339 My father was a post-Puritan minister. Think Unitarian. I share your criticisms of the Catholic Church! For example, my mother worked in Boston with people who would ask a priest whether they were allowed to read a book that interested them. However, I have come to see through Protestant claims to be the true church.
@@TheHunterGracchus Exactly. When I was three, the husband of the woman who ran the in-home daycare my parents used molested me. And the creep happened to work at the same place my mother worked, and attended the same parish we did. When he was confronted, he blamed his 17 year old son -- as if a three year old could not say "Mr. Predator did it" and be believed. My parents went to the police, but they said I would be more psychologically damaged by court proceedings and prosecution so it would be better to drop it and move on. This was the 1970's.
I feel sick inside when I hear about people having been abused by a priest. But predators will seek whatever pathway to their victims, so if it's not through the Church, it will be through schools, coaching teams, after-school activities, family members, their wife's in-home daycare.
@@susancarver7339 I am not religious but many Catholic people l know have been damaged by all this guilt .....horrible!
This episode was amazing
Mark you need to find way more success stories now!! There's so many ppl out here with success stories, lets give the sad song a rest. Lets not forget about the ppl out here that are stong and over came there abuse and addiction stories. Not that im knocking the bad stories NO!! But lets not forget the ppl that deserves there recognition of success.
I totally get what you mean, but....
Society, in general, praises and shares stories of success very readily already. There are lots of avenues for that. Just in and of itself, the people that are “success stories” live on and often have some form of platform to display their success
That’s not what this channel is. This is giving voice to the parts that mostly go overlooked. What it looks like when there really is no hope of “success”. Because, the only way that type of success will happen, is if the conditions which created the failure are stopped at the roots. That’s what this is trying to do
Im not seeking nothing for me, i grew up in a broken disfunctional family, till this day all my family dont speak to eachother. And if they do speak to eachother it ends up real bad all over again. I was o e of the very fortunate person to come out on top dispite pf all the shit my family put me through. Broken ppl need to see more success stories so that they can see for there own eyes that they CAN also come out on top. Be winners and not what our parents kept telling us that were loosers. Were not loosers, theres nothing wrong with us at all. I love what Mark is doing. I hope he keeps on doing what he is doing because America needs to wake the fuck up and stop helping ever dam country and help its own, instead of negotiating us. For ever good theres bad and for every bad theres good, we have been watching a whole lot of bad maybe we mark can also show America and the broken harted and souls out here that good can previle we can make it out of the shit hole we grew up in. Granted not all can do it i understand that cuz some wombs cant be healed. But There are a shit load of us out here that can do it, can change our lifes around. We just need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and ppl need to stop babying us. Tuff love. Ppl may not liking hearing that vut its the fuckin truth!!
Im out SWU
@@jorgecarrillo6671 In Mark's introduction to this channel he explains his purpose as to his choice of interviewees.
@@aliceschmid9697 Mark's intro video explains what this channel's about. If people watched that they'd know to expect the unexpected.🤷
I can so relate to him what he said about veins and getting blood drawn. I have Lyme disease I have been getting tested and treatment and it is so embarrassing to have them try to hunt and poke and try to find a vein. I actually talked one technician into giving me the needle and letting me do it and I hit a vein in the first try. It makes me feel very embarrassed and ashamed.
Do some research about herbal protocols for lyme. Helped me more than doxy or anything else
Yessssss! 1 decision away from it! Choosing spirit and ascend instead of choosing to go down the slide… choosing life 🤩👍🏽 on purpose , instead of drugs. Addiction …. The tangled web we weave…. We work on it the rest of our lives… keep choosing life on purpose✨🌌 it’s a magical ride if you go with it
Good interview very honest. I am on methadone and I commend you for getting off of it! Stay the way you are and clean!!!! God bless you!!
Continue working on yourself, find peace, and happiness. Sending you love Sean. ❤️
Really like your honesty! keep on keeping on! stay strong !
I've been trying to get off of the liquid handcuffs at the clinic for 8 years... I draw disability over injuries I sustained from my ex husband beating the utter crap out of me for 20 years. Methadone is so hard to get off of, and I use it for pain , but I'm so sick of being held down by having to go everyday. I'm scared of the withdrawal, I've tried to quit 3 times by taking shorter acting opiates bc they're easier to kick. After withdrawing 3 times, I would catch every sickness going around. Strep throat, stomach viruses, flu.. whatever. When I'd never get sick like that while on methadone. I always went back bc I couldn't take it anymore. I'm just sick of being on something. I have extreme pain and I'd love to get where ibuprofen or something helped .
I used to be a harm reduction worker and you're right, Methadone can help people get their life back but it is actually worse for your body than good quality heroin. It will cut your life short with long-term use. Maybe ask your doctor about the drug he mentions, gabapetin. It helps with neuropathic pain and anxiety and is relatively benign.
@@a.wanderer5006 except you have to withdraw from it too the gabapeton.
I wish you well Carrie. If you come down really slow like 5 mg every couple weeks you can do it. Amino acid supplements from gnc mixed in water helped me a ton. I was on meth 8 years
I’m just finishing a video-someone suggested I do on here after my interview-on my little channel about exactly this. I was on methadone on and off for 17 years. And it’s a lot easier to get off if you do a few simple adjustments. Now the thing is pain. I have plates and screws and after Methadone I’ve never been able to get my pain under control. I started on gabapentin and moved up to lyrica, but no dice. It’s going to have to be something you figure out yourself: whether it’s worth it or not to quit forever.But it’s definitely worth it to find out!
Set aside about a month where you can just lay around and kick. Google the thomas recipe. It can be done, I am proof. Not easy at all but definitely worth it
hope he gets better soon. he's done it before and can do it again. smart and well spoken guy.