matusow update

[KDawgCometh 2]

As far as the comment someone made that we all know drugs are bad, I think we have mixed messages going on in this area. I'm 36 and was a kid in the 70's and 80's. Most of my role models (musicians, authors, actors and artists) were all getting high. The majority of people experiment with drugs and alcohol in high school and college, but I started when I was 11, so there was obviously something different about me. I also took my experimentation to excess, whereas most stop before it gets to that point. I believe drug and alcohol use/experimentation has been glorified and drug and alcohol abuse has been frowned upon in this country. The problem is that an addict cannot stop with just the use or experimentation. We're all in this together folks and I think the most important things are education and compassion!

this point needs to be reemphasized. While I didn't start out as early as you, I too took my experimentation with drugs very far very fast. I have now kicked them in the past six months(though I still drink on occasion, I know its not obeying the program to the fullest extent, but I avoide every situation that involves pills and drugs). It has taken me four times to kick them and I have had the means to help myself the entire time, but those that don't understand can't understand where I was coming from and why I chose to use. It isn't easy to just quit whether you have the means or not, it is a process that either kills you or you eventually come out on top

[poguemahone68 0]

Just a reminder. Anytime a crime is committed it is NEVER victimless.

I certainly never said that. I make a big difference between nonviolent crimes and violent crimes. I can say this, Graphic confirmed my thought that he isn't in recovery himself and now I fully see why he has this calloused attitude towards addicts. His attitude is why people have a hard time trusting cops and have a hard time trying to have a discussion about such issues, as he started calling me names and said I was ignorant without giving any ackup to it. It is that arrogant attitude and condescintion towards me and his invalidatied assupmtions that I don't know anything about this topic is what really irks me. If he ahd actually took the time to read my posts tehn he would've noticed how a friend of mine isn't on this earth anymore because of addiction. I have had friends who have had drug problems themselves, and as far as I go, well do the math. I have seen this disease closer than Graphic will ever see it, and I trully know what it can do, and how it can pervert the mind of the addict. I never said I felt sorry for Mike, but he shouldn't have gone to jail, IMO. THis goes for many nonviolent drug offenders. No one is innocent and I don't want people to get the idea that that is what I think, but as I have pointed out before it is extrememly ridiculous that someone can get behind a car three sheets to the wind, get caught, and get off with a DL suspension. While someone could be selling pot and then face five years in jail. Do you see where the hypocrisy is there. YOu can actually kill somone when you drive drunk, but by selling pot you go to jail. NOw tell me graphic, how does that make sense, how!!!!!!!!!!! I'd also like to say that I have nothing against cops at all, the lot of them are doing their job and doing a good job. It is people like graphic iwht that attitude that can cast a lesser light on them. It is becuase of that callousness and arrogance that yo show that makes me wonder. I'm not trying to start a flame war, but when my motives or inteligence is questioned I ususally respond in kind

KDawg I hear what you are saying and I agree with you it is hypocritical and makes no sense. You obviously have had some painful times in your life concerning drug use and its effects on you/your friends and for this I am sorry. The thing that censored me off is people KNOW drugs are illegal. They use them, sell them or whatever they get arrested and then they biotch about how stupid it is to get arrested for drugs. Which is more stupid the hypocrisy or doing something you know will get you arrested. That is what just aggravates the hell outta me. Like I said I agree 100% that there is a double standard....BUT people know this before hand.

There have been several sentences within several post in this thread that have spoken to this issue. Addiction does not thrive in a rational brain. Sure it doesn't make sense, that's the nature of it. Show me someone that doesn't know smoking cigarrettes causes all kinds of nasty things, including death and I'll show you someone who's been living under a rock, yet there are millions of people still smoking. Doesn't make sense does it? It's completely irrational, but yet it's there.

[poguemahone68 0]

As far as the comment someone made that we all know drugs are bad, I think we have mixed messages going on in this area. I'm 36 and was a kid in the 70's and 80's. Most of my role models (musicians, authors, actors and artists) were all getting high. The majority of people experiment with drugs and alcohol in high school and college, but I started when I was 11, so there was obviously something different about me. I also took my experimentation to excess, whereas most stop before it gets to that point. I believe drug and alcohol use/experimentation has been glorified and drug and alcohol abuse has been frowned upon in this country. The problem is that an addict cannot stop with just the use or experimentation. We're all in this together folks and I think the most important things are education and compassion!

this point needs to be reemphasized. While I didn't start out as early as you, I too took my experimentation with drugs very far very fast. I have now kicked them in the past six months(though I still drink on occasion, I know its not obeying the program to the fullest extent, but I avoide every situation that involves pills and drugs). It has taken me four times to kick them and I have had the means to help myself the entire time, but those that don't understand can't understand where I was coming from and why I chose to use. It isn't easy to just quit whether you have the means or not, it is a process that either kills you or you eventually come out on top

Hey Kdawg,There have been many studies done on the use of alcohol by drug addicts in recovery. Contrary to common sense, AA and all things sane, more than 50% of drug addicts are able to drink alcohol responsibly. Think of russian roulette with 3 bullets in a six chambered gun. This is very tricky data for drug counselors and clinicians. The problem lies again in knowing who can drink and who can't. I have a friend that clearly is in the category of those that can't. Everytime he has a beer, he has a few more and before long, he's scoring some coke and then heroin. Took him a few times to get it, but for the last 2 years he hasn't had a drink at all. He now knows that a beer = junkiedom for him.

[GhostfaceKillah 0]

Wow u clowns have too much time on your hands......... I feel like i keep reading another chapter everytime i look down at another post...........

[DeNuts1 0]

Wow u clowns have too much time on your hands......... I feel like i keep reading another chapter everytime i look down at another post...........

Stop re-reading quotes

[GhostfaceKillah 0]

8========0

[walktheplank69 0]

I just finished watching an episode of Beyond The Felt where he's talking about how he got clean...Wasn't he banged up for buying for a third party and not himself?Could be wrong, but that's the way it was reported.

[DeNuts1 0]

8========0

heheheh....i like that. Speaking of too much time though :wink:

[Kevin Garceau 0]

However, this we are beginning to learn, through outcome studies, that the above statement is no longer true. I used to believe that only the motivated were treatable, which is partially true. What we're learning is WHEN people become treatable and can actually make the turnaround. We are starting to see that a significant percentage of people who are in denial and skeptical and not "ready" or motivated for treatment are actually showing a higher rate of change. I'm mostly talking about incarcerated treatment here, but the point is that a lot of times the ones who the clinicians think are not ready are the ones who surprise them. Wardens, correctional officers and treatment staff are no longer giving up on the unmotivated. They are getting more creative in treatment curriculuum, which helps the unmotivated become motivated.

I think we said alot of the same thing. Its the individual own motivation that will make a change. It may be them cvrying for help from the beginning, or it may be a long hard process where they finally little by little realize the hurt and pain they have caused them self and others.If they never want to change they never will... still a choice.[Victimless crime - all the time and money spent chasing, prostitutes, drug issues could well be put to better areas. This was my point, others are going without because of this, only so much in state federal budget, and the more money that gets spent on law enforcement the less can go elsewhere. And I am not saying cut the law enforcement, people obey the law, less is needed.

[GhostfaceKillah 0]

what is beyond the felt

[poguemahone68 0]

Wow u clowns have too much time on your hands......... I feel like i keep reading another chapter everytime i look down at another post...........

I will take time to talk about things that I care about. One day you just might understand that.

[poguemahone68 0]

I just finished watching an episode of Beyond The Felt where he's talking about how he got clean...Wasn't he banged up for buying for a third party and not himself?Could be wrong, but that's the way it was reported.

Yeah, it's perfectly logical for a person that's clean and thinking clearly to buy coke for someone else. (SW)

[Nico_Ban 0]

Drugs are good,They make you fell things that you know you not should,And when you do them people think that your cool,Drugs are neat,And you can find them relatively cheap,And when you do them people think that your cool,And when you do them people think that your cool.

[Nico_Ban 0]

here is a list of crimes people commit every day while perfectly sober:1. drive on cell phones and sometimes kill people in accidents2. beat their spouses 3. rob people 4. steal 5. neglect their kids 6. commit suicide 7. murder someone 8. rape9. fraud10. identity theftI propose that everyone always be on drugs so we can stop these sober people from committing such horrible crimes.

[heisthejuan 0]

Aren't drugs associated with guns, violence, cops being shot, etc.Yes, it seems like drugs affect more than the users themselves.This is true, but the same can be said of alcohol during the Prohibition. The fact that drugs are now (as booze was then) illegal but are still in demand by the public is what creates the violent cartels and gangs that run the drug trade. Not trying to say drugs should be legal (except weed) but the violence associated with it has more to do with the laws against their sale as opposed to how the drugs make you feel and or act.I feel addiction is a personality thing. I know lots of people who take all kinds of drugs, but only know one person who has major issues with them and he had lots of issues already.

[KDawgCometh 2]

Hey Kdawg,There have been many studies done on the use of alcohol by drug addicts in recovery. Contrary to common sense, AA and all things sane, more than 50% of drug addicts are able to drink alcohol responsibly. Think of russian roulette with 3 bullets in a six chambered gun. This is very tricky data for drug counselors and clinicians. The problem lies again in knowing who can drink and who can't. I have a friend that clearly is in the category of those that can't. Everytime he has a beer, he has a few more and before long, he's scoring some coke and then heroin. Took him a few times to get it, but for the last 2 years he hasn't had a drink at all. He now knows that a beer = junkiedom for him.

yeah, its something that I try to stay constantly aware of. I talk to my sponser about it after the fact and sometimes when I've had one or two beers. It is something that I generally avoid for safety's sake and only drink on occasion. I'm careful not to tempt fate though and talking to my sponser helps

[Guest]

the funniest stuff people say is this kind of thing (partial post)The thing that censored me off is people KNOW drugs are illegal. They use them, sell them or whatever they get arrested and then they biotch about how stupid it is to get arrested for drugs.how many people in here drive faster than the posted speed limit??especially 25mph zones?? ever bit*ch while the cop writes you a ticket??not saying thats the SAME as crack....but it's almost as addictiing to do & nobody really considers how many innocent people that could get hurt while you decide you gotta hurry to be somewhere.i mean cmon, people's logic when they try & bag on drugs is so ridiculous.EVERYTHING that is illegal is that way because it MAY CAUSE HARM or be dangerous to others & yourself.if you really want to do something about drugs, get involved with people in your neighborhood. Don't just go to an internet fourm & spout off about how bad they are & regurgitate political opinions & half as*ed facts.Drugs aren't going away, educating the young is the best way to attack it.

[DOH!!! 0]

I actullay think Mike is out now. One of my poker buddies just got back from Vegas and said that he sat next to him at a 20/40 table. I was wondering why Mike was playing that low stakes. But it makes sence now, if he just got out he prolly doesnt have that much money... All props to mike with addiction recovery, if he is an addict in the first place.DOH!!!

[buck10957 0]

I saw Mike playing O/8 on Full Tilt tonight, so I think hes out

[DOH!!! 0]

Unless they gave him a computer and i-net hook up in the clink

[Reg Dunlop 0]

I've been a cop in the ghetto for almost a decade and these are some of the things I've seen addicts do while high1. drive impaired (and sometimes  kill people in accidents)2. beat their spouses3. rob people4. steal5. neglect their kids6. commit  suicide7. murder someoneAn earlier poster sought to make a difference between violent crime and Matusow's crime of giving drugs to an undercover he thought he was helping out.  He's right there is a difference.  But what Mike did was to pass on the poison to someone else which can and often does lead to some of the incidents mentioned above.  So while addiction may be a disease, and may have influenced his behavior, it should not excuse the fact that he made a choice to commit an illegal act.  And this illegal act -offering drugs- was designed to let some else get high and maybe do nothing but maybe do any number of things that would hurt other people

I've been around people for 31 years and these are things I've seen them do when they weren't high1. drive impaired (and sometimes kill people in accidents) "okay admittedly they were drunk"2. beat their spouses3. rob people 4. steal 5. neglect their kids 6. commit suicide7. murder someoneTeach your kids about drugs, tell them how they make you feel what it does to their bodies and then let them decide. The paranoia culture a lot of people show in the States and Canada is just idiotic. Is it smart to fill jjails with people that use substances that in many cases are less harmful than alcohol? Its insane.

[NickTheKid 0]

I know I've probably posted this stupid joke about Matsow already, but here goes:Matsow is in Jail eh? He's going to know the real meaning of "All in" when he hit's the showers.

[NickTheKid 0]

I'd like to reply on this subject on a serious note:I've been taking marijawana for about solid fourteen months, I do it about every three weeks to a month, I have never had the urge to hurt, or bring any harm to anybody. It's great fun and I think you are seriously over reacting, whats wrong with the ocassional smoke here and there, or the ocassional line here and there? I don't snort coke, but nothing is really BAD when it's used responsibly. By your logic, people shouldn't masturbate because it's an addiction and you won't be able to reproduce, that is almost as unproven and feeble as saying "Smoking up will make you a violent person"I don't get it. :roll: