True Stories of Addiction: Thomas
Thomas got an understanding of alcohol and drug addiction at a very young age. His mother, father, grandma and grandpa were all victims to the disease of addiction. He watched his dad get pulled out of his house multiple times to be taken to rehab for his addiction. Thomas, at a very young age, also watched his mother try to detox off Benzodiazepine and have seizures because the withdrawal was so intense. Watching his parents die slowly from addiction made him never want to do drugs or drink. He feared what his life would become if he were to try drinking or drugging. He would go to recovery programs for kids to prevent himself from falling into the wrong crowd- unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
Thomas began to smoke Marijuana and snort Cocaine to try and escape the trauma of his past. He was still intimidated by alcohol, because he saw what it did to his father. So, Thomas was not a big drinker, but when it came down to drugs he was willing to try anything just to get the images of his parents’ addiction out of his mind. Thomas was using all sorts of drugs and could take them or leave them until he was introduced to Heroin at 17 years of age.
Heroin and the Family
Thomas ended up losing his sister and best friend to a Heroin overdose the first summer he went through while also abusing Heroin. The overdose of his sister and best friend destroyed his heart and he stopped using drugs for a while. A few years passed and at age 19 he started using drugs again. Thomas was using Cocaine heavily but didn’t like the feeling it gave you when you ran out of it so he started using Oxycodone, which eventually lead him back to using Heroin.
From 19 to 22 years old, Thomas was using Heroin every day. When he had money and there was a choice between food and Heroin, Heroin was always the winner. He would sit with his family and use drugs on a daily basis. He knew life should be different than what it was. He got sick of the life style and was tired of seeing his family use drugs and decided to go to rehab when he was 22 years old.
You have the Choice to Recover
In rehab, Thomas was able to surrender to the insanity and drug addiction around him. When it was time to leave rehab, Thomas knew he couldn’t go back to his parents, because he would just start his cycle of addiction all over again. So, he packed up and moved across the country to get away from his past and start anew. He ended up staying sober for about 6 months when he got to his new town but ended up smoking Meth with a few “friends.”
Even though Thomas did not like the way Meth made him feel, it still brought him back down the road of addiction. Although he didn’t go back to Heroin, Thomas was drinking alcohol and smoking Marijuana to waste his life away and make the days go by quicker. However, he remembered the way recovery made him feel and he gave it another shot.
This was seven years ago and he hasn’t had a drink or used a drug since. Just because Thomas decided to change his life around, it didn’t mean the same for his family. Even though he left his old life to recover, it didn’t mean he didn’t want the same for his family.
The disease of addiction got to most of his family and sadly, he lost both parents, his older sister, then his younger sister and two good friends. His loved ones didn’t find their way into recovery soon enough and their addiction got the best of them. Thomas knows if he doesn’t keep working on himself every day and the underlying cause of his addiction, he will end up the same way. He knows he needs daily recovery, meditation and to socialize with other people who have fought the same battle or he won’t make it.
More about Recovery
He lost his whole family besides one sister who is still using, but was able to help his little brother out of addiction, who both celebrate their recovery together today. Thomas wants all individuals suffering with addiction to understand that help is possible. If you go to rehab or treatment, know it is just the beginning of your new life. In rehab or treatment, you will learn about the underlying causes of your addiction but when you successfully complete treatment, your recovery can really begin with the help of other recovering individuals. If Thomas and his little brother can recover, you can too. Believe in yourself, do the work and watch the magic happen.
38 comments
I totally believe this, addiction is a family affair because everyone in the family is affected one way or the other. Let show ultimate love to anyone going through addiction.
We need to realize that when we become parents, we mist set an example… A good example… If it wasnt because of what he see, maybe, he would not get curious.
Thomas Story was so touching and inspirational . Thank you so much for sharing it will really be of great help.
That’s real family hobby every one of the family is simply addicted..no one controls the other on how to reduce the addiction level, that’s very bad.
When the whole family is on drugs then there is no escaping it. Thank God for Thomas and his sister who found their way back. Taking drugs and alcohol is a deadly disease that kills silently, stay strong. Thank you Detox to rehab for sharing this amazing story.
Every loved ones of an addicted person is affect by his intake, making it a family matter that needs immediate actions. Let always introduce them to programs that can help them with love
Going to rehab , all the love required is needed….that’s why it’s a family thing, we stick together to see success
Thomas addiction was an influence from his parents which I think shouldn’t be but due to his lack of clarity about the issue. Orientation of the offsprings about the negative effects of addiction shouldn’t be toyed with.
Family must be the main institution to protect us from drug abuse. Once our family is not around to protect us, we are vulerable and easy to manipulate.
Parents should be careful of their actions and inactions. Thomas nearly wasted his life if not for God’s intervention through detox program.
It is really our choice to recover. it is always in the mind. I am glad you were with the right people. Good luck!
Though it is very good to take after one’s parents but things you have been seeing bringing shame to the family please, do not emulate it. Thanks for this piece of information.
Thomas got several tragedies in his life just due to these addiction stuffs. His whole family was badly affected due to it.
This is very sad yet very real part of society, I always hear it runs in the family but this is a bad case for it, You got a choice to recover yes!!!! It ultimately starts from you!!! Family or not .In this case think about upurself. A life with addiction is never a good one.
It’s good for you Thomas that he realizes to overcome of addiction in drug ang alcohol. Thank you for the people help Thomas to recover, I hope so that many teenager realizes that alcohol and drugs it’s not good for your health.
Good that Thomas realize that going back to his family would bring a relapse. You need to always stay away from a trigger of drinks or drugs
It’s not the fault of Thomas because they are ignorant, they will learn as you teach them. But now I am to see Thomas manage to overcome the situation. Best wishes Thomas ,be strong !
It truly got to be a family affair which made matters worse. I’m glad he’s recovered now. That’s how detrimental drugs can be, having to lose loved ones.
This is very interesting life story, the hole family is addicted by alcohol and drugs. Thomas very lucky he understand the dangerous of drugs and alcohol.
It is really horrible to see your family members suffering badly from addictions and this can leave bad memories and this becomes something which you may never forget your entire life. Childhood is a time when we get exposed to many things and many bad experiences during this time can lead to psychological problems as an adult. I really feel bad for him because he may be needing some sort of help in order to get rid of those bad memories that were caused by the addictive behavior of his parents.
Addiction is not the solution of any kind of problem.Addiction may lead to death.Any type of addiction is bad for health.
Thomas, enviroment really influence people surounding,you knows and used at very early age,thats why you can’t stop doing the same what your family did,but one families wow it’s amazing ,they are together recovered after rehab
Been under the influence of the environment it’s not really a good thing. Because addiction won’t help but having a good family helps.
Thomas’s story is a heart touching one. I really feel for him. That gif he’s recovering
Solving the case of a family member struggling with addiction is a family affair. Family must come together to help such individual become better.
Thomas would have had a good life . Shun addiction
Family matters alot in all cases. Because they got your back anytime.
Environment is a factor that influence a lot it
So happy for Thomas for having the support of his family throughout his addiction. Addicts sometimes need the support of their loved ones to excel and over their challenges.
Yes, it’s a family affair because family will stand in for you at all times. And also stand by you.
This is a very sad story about Thomas and his family having experience with addiction. Glad that he realized he has the choice to choose his own way to live and not follow in his family steps.
Thomas must have such inner strength to fight his demons, even though his entire family was consumed with addiction. I agree, that there is always help available for those that need it and this story just goes to show that you must surround yourself with people, who understand your problems and are a positive influence for healthier living. I could see Thomas being a huge help to others struggling, especially those that need a new social circle and better frame of mind.
Drug or substance abuse at a tender age is very dangerous. Beware. Detox to rehab is really doing a good job
Honestly, one of the major affairs of family is addiction. Parents and guardians must be careful and watchful on their children.
Addiction is not the ideal solution and cannot be any solution to problems. Parents should always enlightened their wards about this.
It is a family problem if a member of the family is addicted. They are to love and support the person to overcome his addiction.
Experience is the best teacher. What one sees someone that fell victim of a thing, he will not like to experience it. Such is the case of Thomas. This is a lesson for everyone. Thanks.
This is a very touching story. One of choices and losses. Good thing Thomas was able to escape the grim clutches of drug addiction that had held his family members and escape into the freedom of leading a drug-clean life.