True Stories of Addiction: Tony
From childhood, Tony’s odds of growing up and avoiding substance abuse were low. There are certain variables that make a person more susceptible to addiction, and most of them were present in his life. Tony didn’t grow up in a typical household; he didn’t have what would be considered a normal childhood by most standards. His parents were in active addiction, using Crack Cocaine and Alcohol regularly at home, when he was just a kid.
He was set on a dangerous path from a very young age and struggled with Opiate addiction for years, but eventually found treatment. Now he and his father are both clean and living happier, healthier lives.
An Early Introduction to Using Substances
The first substance he used was Alcohol when he was about thirteen years old, with his brother. The allure of being in the group of cool kids was intoxicating on its own. Tony was also introduced to Marijuana that year and started smoking weed regularly and drinking on the weekends.
He was hanging out with the bad crowd of kids who were always breaking the rules and getting into trouble. The adults in his life weren’t good role models, though, and he never truly knew that what he was doing was wrong.
Tony’s Aha Moment with Opiates
Tony tried Percocet for the first time when he was only sixteen years old; he had to have his appendix removed and was prescribed the drug. Already having some familiarity with drugs, he experimented and took more than instructed.
The feeling Percocet gave him was a revelation and he was immediately hooked. It seemed like all his feelings of insecurity were erased, and he didn’t feel uncomfortable in his own skin anymore. Sadly, at that young age, Tony had no idea that Percocet was addictive. All he knew was that he loved how it made him feel.
Tony started to do Percocet on the street and along with this use, every other worrisome behavior followed. He skipped school and went out drinking every night, but there still weren’t any real consequences for him. Anything would fly at his parent’s house and addiction easily wrapped him up in its arms.
Tony found himself in unhealthy relationships with girls who were getting prescribed pain killers. They would use together and his addiction was only fueled further. As his habit became more and more expensive, he got to the point where he would do almost anything to keep using.
A Home Life Still Fraught with Drugs
Tony got used to seeing ambulances in front of his parent’s house. This was the norm for him, as his mother was frequently overdosing on Crack or giving herself Alcohol poisoning. Once, what he figured was just another ambulance ended up being a swat vehicle. His family’s house was being raided because his dad was selling drugs. The officers thought Tony, just a teenager coming home to his parents, was there to buy drugs. That was the environment he was immersed in.
He dropped out of high school and didn’t go on to college, because the importance of education was never instilled in him as it is in most kids. His whole life revolved around drug use—from his parents to his friends, drugs were how everyone around him coped with life.
Tony’s Addiction Reaches a New Level
Tony didn’t think he would ever do Heroin, but he was taking ten pills a day and prescription pain killers are expensive. He eventually turned to using Heroin, which is what landed him in treatment for the first time. Even though he didn’t stay clean after his first time in rehab, a seed of recovery was planted inside him. He realized there that he wasn’t alone in this.
When he went back out, instead of staying totally clean and sober, he tried to moderate his use to mild recreation. He tried to just smoke weed and not do anything else; he tried to only drink on the weekends, but none of his efforts worked. His addiction had already rooted itself deep inside of him, and he kept returning to Opiate abuse.
Tony’s using got way out of hand. He couldn’t hold down a job, always quitting or being fired because he was sick or just wouldn’t show up.
How an Ultimate Low Led to Treatment
A horrible event changed everything in Tony’s life. His best friend died in a motorcycle accident and he was devastated. He lost his job, his current relationship ended and he was hopeless. He tried to overdose on Xanax and Dope, but woke up in a hospital with his sponsor next to him.
This is when he finally entered a long-term addiction treatment program and he stayed there for about four and a half months. It was there that a true shift happened inside himself and he started to learn about the joy that sobriety can bring.
He left the program to go home when his mom was sick and he had to experience the trauma of watching her pass away. Addiction is a relapsing disorder, by nature, and the loss of his mother overwhelmed Tony with despair leading him to relapse. Drugs didn’t win though.
Tony had learned how to stay sober in treatment and he found his way back to recovery again. He has been sober ever since and his father has also gotten clean. Tony revels in the meaningful relationship that they now share. He urges others to believe in themselves and prove everyone wrong. Anyone can find recovery and experience the healing and happiness that he has.
36 comments
after 3 years of being a patient at baart methadone clinic my counselor really has nothing to counsel me on! I have to go through different counselors every couple of months I find myself talking and my counselor not giving me no feedback very upset about baart and the way they treat their patients like if we are just a head of cattle and that they treat us like livestock! I mentioned that I I am about to go back into full blown relapse counselor nor faculty nor doctor at baart Van Ness Clinic in Fresno California has any information to help me in my situation. I called the doctor, do what you got to do. what kind of answer is that to a patient that is asking for help on not to relapse! Baart does not care about you are any patient, to them we are just heroin addicts drug addicts and they want the state’s money to keep them going! Five star rating 5 being the highest one being the lowest I give them a negative 5!
His parents have been bad influences on him. Even if he doesn’t have interest but for the fact that he sees his parents taken it, he will also do the same and he eventually did. Thank God he is delivered.
Detox rehab, I believe you are carrying out the mandate you were ordained. Keep repairing the affected lives. Your reward isn’t earthly.
It’s nice that at last Tony found a way to be happy again after staying away from alcohol addiction that wasn’t good for him in any way.
Oh wow from this narration there’s no way Tony would have excaped this addiction as it seems the odds were just against him from childhood but good that he is free now
The first step is always the hardest. There are so many questions that may arise in our mind. But the thing is, you will not change if you will not take the first step.
Tony seems to be quite reluctant to the addiction stuffs initially. But, the family addiction led him also doing the same after then.
Very sad and inspirational story. Thank God for Tony’s life, doing drugs is never the best approach any one can find healing if he puts his mind to it. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing this emotional story..
This is a sad story with a happy ending. He was really too tender to venture into all of this but he really wasn’t to be blamed. He was delivered into that system and life from cradle. Detoxtorehab keeps doing wonders.
Lots of treatment programs out there, the first step is acceptance of the problem and decision to get help. Happy Tony found help and we celebrating him today
Theres always a second chance, youjust need to focus and stay away from drug.s. Being sober gives you a chance to recover.
Offer way out of ophiate is good news, treatment can help your life being happiness,thank you for your story since abusing till recovered, inspiring me,there are no errors that can’t be fixed
I know it was hard for him to beat it but there is hope in everyone. he has managed to be sober now and he has a done a great change. Thanks to the facility that provided him that much-needed help.
Tony is a miracle story, even his mother made him think drugs and overdoses was the norms. This really touch my heart, mothers can also affect their ward life negatively
Detox rehabilitation services have been helping people especially the drug and alcohol addicts to see life worth living. Thank you for restoration project.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something.
Treatment has proven wonderful for years with different types of medications and programs. This story touching and Tony was brave sharing. Thank you
Opiate must be a very dangerous substance. Thank God he has recovered.
Good that there’s a good treatment that can help people live above their addiction. This story is really inspiring because it ended well but then we need to desist the urge to be addicted to anything.
Once an addict has found the courage and decide to go for treatment they will find out that they overcome any form of addiction. And I am glad that Tony found out that he could stop the use of drugs though the 12 step program.
Once an addict has found the courage and decide to go for treatment they will find out that they overcome any form of addiction. And I am glad that Tony found out that he could stop the use of drugs though the 12 step program.
This is very sad to hear about Tony, even when trying to get out of drugs his mom passed away, that alone is huge on him. Thanks for the recovery as his now doing well. Happy for you.
Tony started on substance abuse at a very young age, and had a unusual growing up. But I am glad he didn’t allow all of this ruin or end his life.
If Tony had not come in contact with Detox rehab. We will have been having another story of loss of life.
A million thanks to Detox
So glad Detax to rehab is here to help people with addiction to get back to their normal life. So glad he’s doing well and was able to shear his story.
Each and every story I read about addiction always have a connection with the victim’s family members, most times they are influenced by them. Something should be done about this . Cases of addiction will continue to rise if this trend should continue.
Addiction is a relapsing disorder. Getting to recover from it is a miracle. Thanks for sharing this story.
Coning out from addiction is one thing that can ever happens to an individual.
Am glad reading this article
Those days Tony suffers a lot , he lots many of thing s. More power to him . Best wishes Tony.
I feel for people like Tony who didn’t have a normal childhood. if your parents are addictive or you grew up among people who are addictive, the odds of you growing up and avoiding substance abuse is just low. Parents should understand the effect their actions have on their children. I’m happy he is clean now and I just hope he doesn’t relapse
Very pathetic and encouraging story,thank God for your recovery Tony, i,m so happy for you never go back to addiction again, God will help.Thanks for sharing
Rehabilitation helps a lot towards freedom from substance abuse. Kudos go to Detox for giving hope to the hopeless in the society.
Bravo!
It’s sad that your parents that the one who ‘introduce’ you to drugs through their addiction. Not really giving you drugs but make you familiar with the scene. Thanks GOD you’re over it now. Marvelous !!
Hmmmm, it’s a thing of joy for you to come out of this addiction. Despite the experience, you overcame . This is a big lesson to the world
This goes a long way towards making people healthy. Great thanks go to Detox for promoting sound health among people.
Beautiful resolution. Being raised in a toxic environment, it is very hard for addicts to understand the severity of the situation when it is all they see at home. I totally get how alcohol or marijuana here or there is not the way to go clean after years of dabbling with the worst kind of substances. It takes a strong commitment and I’m so glad Tony and his father managed to get their lives back.