True Stories of Addiction: Greg
As a young boy, Greg looked up to his parents like most children do. When he was three or four years old, he got his first candy cigarette and was so excited to mimic his parents and “smoke” cigarettes with them. His family found the “cigarette smoking” so adorable, Greg’s grandfather went and got him a bubble gum cigar which made him feel like he was a super star. Greg loved his bubble gum cigar so much, he wouldn’t chew the gum out of it for weeks, because he liked to pretend he was smoking- it made him feel a part of the crowd.
His fascination with addictive substances didn’t stop with the candied cigarettes and cigars: Greg wanted something more so his parents took him to the candy store where they bought him a fake 6-pack of candied beer. As Greg grew older, the candy turned into the real deal. He loved the taste of alcohol so much, he would drink excessive amounts to build a tolerance so he could party with his buddies all night.
Greg was always a very shy person so the alcohol really helped him when it came down to making friends and hanging out with others. When Greg was just 20-years old, he bought his own house which shortly turned into a “party house” because he didn’t like being alone and always wanted someone around.
Introduced to the Drug
With Greg having a party house, he met a wide range of people with different views on life. He also met his best friend and worst enemy: Cocaine. When Greg started doing Cocaine, it took precedence in his life. Even if he had tickets for a show or was supposed to go out with family, if Cocaine was around, he would sit in his house and use it until he couldn’t anymore.
Greg went from being a social butterfly who always threw the best parties to a guy who would park his van a block away from the house and put sheets on his windows so no one thought he was home. Greg would isolate like this because he wanted to be alone with his drugs and not have to share them with anybody.
His addiction got the best of him though, and he started having insane thoughts. Greg felt that if he could get a quarter pound of his drug of choice, he would be able to stop using as much as he has been, because he wouldn’t feel like he is running out.
Greg was tired of the isolation and insanity so he reached out for help and went for an evaluation at a local treatment center. A day after his evaluation, Greg got help from his family and was admitted into the treatment center. Greg’s addiction took quite a toll on his health; his liver was extremely unhealthy, and so he stayed in detox for a while to try and heal his body.
In treatment, Greg didn’t understand that you need to stop using drugs completely. He thought he could just go in once a year, detox, go back to using and be fine. He really struggled with the obsession of addiction. If a commercial on T.V. would come on about Alcohol, he couldn’t watch it because it would make his mouth water.
Finding Recovery from the Drug
Greg ended up going to some 12-step meetings where he found hope. He would hear people’s stories and soon began to understand if you keep using drugs and drinking, things are never going to get better. After a three-day relapse, Greg realized what these people were saying was true and knew it was time for him to turn his will and life over to the care of God.
When he turned his will over to God, something in him changed- he has been sober ever since. The things that keep Greg sober are the things he learned in that first meeting years ago. He gives himself breaks and accepts help from others to this day. Greg loves to meditate and help others because helping others it what the program is all about.
Greg doesn’t know where he would be if it wasn’t for treatment, sober living and the 12-step program. If you are looking for help, maybe treatment would be best for you too. Give us a call and we can help you find the best recovery possible. Our number is: (866) 578-7471
36 comments
I had a good friend in high school who was very outgoing and social too. He started using heroin and became a hermit. It was really sad. He stopped coming to school. His parents never knew where he was. I never knew what happened to him, we lost touch a few years later.
In childhood I mind was not much devloped to recognize what is wrong or right. Greg have done the same mistake but very few manage to came out of this and Greg is one of them.
This is a pathetic experience because of the age he has been into taking drugs. Experience is the best teacher and this is why he decided to be helpful to others.
It is better to train up children in the right and proper way. Parents should not do what is not right in the presence of their wards as they are watching. So sorry for Greg practicing such at his tender age.
Greg always like to have parties and this is how most of the people are introduced to drugs. This is exactly how most of the people are introduced to drugs. There are many sorts of people who attend parties and there are many people who use drugs and alcohol in parties. This problem is not only found in the U.S, but it is also much common in other parts of the world.
Greg’s parents are bad influences on him. This is because they themselves introduced him to the anomaly but thank God for the deliverance.
This is why as parents we have to be careful of the kind of things we expose our children to. Greg’s addiction got the better of him but I am glad he went into rehab. I wish him the very best.
Greg Story to transformation was so amazing. Let not give up on possibly solution to addictions. Greg Story should be good enough to encourage people on finding a lasting solution to addiction.
With the way Greg was addicted to drugs, I am shocked he is still alive. God must really love him. Thank God for Detox to Rehab.
It is indeed an insanity for someone at his or her early age be addicted to drugs and alcohol. No wonder some of his internal organs were damaged.
some people just like Greg take to alcohol because they are to shy to hang out or talk to friends. by the time they know it, they are hooked. Greg story resonate with a lot of people. I’m glad he is sober now
These stories can never get old… addiction is really bad.
Parents have to be extra careful in their actions and inactions around their children. It is a bad thing for parents to encourage their children to be engaging in unthinkables.
Thanks to Detox and Greg for the courage to talk about this. Many will be saved reading and viewing the video. Nice one
It grew from bad to worse. Addiction is really a scary one. Getting a way out of it can’t be overemphasized. I’m happy for Greg.
Parents and things they do can tell alot on their kids behaviors
Parents please be cautioued
Please!!
Wow, this is really interesting and encouraging. I know it’s not easy to come out with stories like this. Happy you found help
I agree there is insanity in any active drug addiction because most of the time you don’t even know what you are doing. Detox to rehab thank you for sharing Greg’s story and for the 12 steps program, it is really helping addicts. Continue to be sober.
You loose your senses when actively using drugs, even losing your loved ones. Going extra mile to get the substance… nothing more interesting than seeking help and finding it
To every action.there is reaction. Greg’s story has demonstrated that drug addiction can worsen one’s situation rather than ameliorate it. It is better to stay clear of substance abuse.
His choice to stop and seek help is a great way to being sober. He was able to realize that using drugs is getting him off the world. Good thing he was able to change before anything bad happen.
Greg’s story has clearly portrayed that one needs to stay clear from substance abuse. His determination helps him to surmount his fear.
We should teach children the good way. We should guide them so that they will not end up in drug addiction.
Greg foundation led him into been addicted as a cigarette addict and later into alcohol. With time cocaine became his best partner. At a time he saw the need to quit and then turn to God. The 12 step program helped him greatly. It’s always better to seek help from professionals.
12 steps program and sobriety play a big role in healing from addiction. If you experience like what Greg had, seek help as soon as possible.
Glad to hear you greg clear out from addicted,I think so insanity is part of addict if addict we do not aware surounding us
It was really sad. He stopped coming to school. His parents never knew where he was.The 12 step program helped him greatly. It’s always better to seek help from professionals. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Boredom is the reason some people go into addiction, I will say find a new habit if you bored. Never replace anything with drugs or any thing that can lead to addiction
Parents role is an integral part in the upbringing of a child. And, when such addiction is there in the family, the children get the negative effects, same happened with him too.
It is good to hear he has become better now. Thanks, Detox to rehab for the help.
Drug addiction is very wrong indeed, which affected Gregg even during his childhood that made him looking down to his parents. We should say No always to drug abuse.
Any drugs or alcohol problems is come from family. That’s way we should always keep our family safety and secure.
I don’t know why people got addicted with something.Addiction is not the solution of any kind of problem.If we want to solve any problem then we have to fight with that.Addiction is just a destroyer which destroys our immune system.
Thank you for sharing Greg’s story with us! It’s great to know and have some insight about this topic so that we can spread awareness. I really appreciate Greg’s perspective and I hope that he continues that awesome progress.
Thanks Greg for sharing your story is very pathetic but so glad for the recovery,your story will serve as a lesson to others that no matter the situation there is still hope for recovery
Mimicking your parents in what they are doing which is wrong. He got it wrong as a little boy. Thanks to 12-step for the recovery.