I admit, I'm a little naive when it comes to any heavy narcotics or drugs, but when my friend approached me one day, telling me he had a heroin addiction, I knew I had to start learning and work to begin his healing process. I knew I couldn't beat anything over this head, I knew he had to see a piece of the light for himself to believe it existed, and I knew I would be able to find the right combination of words and moments to help him see what he needed to see.
In listening to the podcast as I write this, a couple thoughts come to mind. I asked Ben to do this with me for a couple reasons.
1) I wanted people to hear how common heroin is or can be. Why? Because it can be right next door to you and you not even know it.
2) I wanted them to hear a "normal," person come clean and admit his addictions, hear the comeback and hear the possibilities. Why? To dissolve judgement. To not judge someone with an addiction, to not judge someone who comes out with the addiction and to then not judge anyone for coming out. It happens. I know people who will think "Ya, but he..." and I want to wash that away.
3) Don't be afraid to get involved... I know quite a few people who went through hard times, gambling issues, drug issues, drinking issues, addictions, etc, and people turned their back on them for whatever reason. Don't doubt that you can help someone believe. Don't be afraid to get involved. Don't turn your back on your friend.
4) I want people to hear the clean, new, optimistic version of Ben....
Choices surround us, 24/7. You can choose recovery, you can choose to help or you can choose to be a victim or an observing bystander.
Get in the game.
