Forum: Close to Home
Topic: Real-Life Stories - Share comments on "Louis - Reclaiming Himself from Drugs."
Topic Posted by: Close To HomeDate Posted: Wed Mar 18 15:22:22 1998
Posted by: Cassandra Perry (cgperry@worldnet.att.net )
Date posted: Sun Apr 5 22:05:33 1998
Subject: Close To Home: Real Life Stories - Louis
Message:
I appeared on Mary Alice Williams' show following the encore presentation of Close to Home in NYC. My story was one which began with much promise, until I found myself living in an SRO with a crack addiction. By the Grace of God, I am now working on three years clean. While I credited Louis for saying I was "using but not useless," and for giving me the opportunity to work and regain some self-esteem in the intentional community which is STANDUP Harlem, I give all credit to God.
There were some things I neglected to mention: 1) the support of a professional therapist is invaluable (my therapist first got me to consider that I might have a problem with drugs); 2) a "structured environment" could be a loving supportive community like STANDUP Harlem; it could also be the steps and traditions of an anonymous twelve-step program. My experience supports the assertion that "the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel." George Bernard Sh
Posted by: George P. Brines (gbrines @ AOL.COM )
Organization:Indiana Counselors Assoc on A&D Abuse
Date posted: Mon Mar 30 20:21:24 1998
Subject: Close to HomeIndidna
Message:
Louis: It was a pleasure meeting you in Washington at the NAADAC Legislative Conference. I want to thank you for the wonderful job you did on Close to Home. I showed the film to an IOP group today and your story opened the eyes of two resistent group members. Thank you for your efforts to help all still suffering addicts. Yours in Recovery, George Brines.