Great words. I hope he sees these comments. 🙏

If he make so far sadly...

Philly's trash, hope Virginia is treating you well.

Welcome to the DMV, and congratulations on getting clean. I was addicted to drugs myself for 18 years. I just hit 10 years clean back in April. I totally get where you're coming from. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You got this! Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need to. Thanks so much for supporting the channel. Much appreciated. 🙏

As always, thanks so much, Jackie. 🙏

@@unheardvoices_official Youre, Welcome🙏♥️

That's what's up, Alex. Congratulations on getting clean. I just hit 10 years clean myself back in April. I love that you save animals. I'm a huge animal lover, so I can certainly appreciate that. Thanks so much for supporting the channel. Much appreciated. 🙏

I’m in recovery. I love helping homeless cats, too, and a few lost dogs. I don’t turn them down…I just find more cats. I keep, only, ones who are considered unadoptable. I know healthy cats get put down, so it’s OK to adopt them, but I don’t prefer them to cats with disabilities. I have chronic illness & disabilities, and these two help me a lot, because they “get it,” in ways my other cats didn’t. I loved those cats, and as they grew older, they learned, but these I can keep up with, now, and they’re exceptional. The brain disordered one doesn’t run when I have bipolar symptoms…he stays extra close and engages me, walks me to my bed and the bathroom, when I don’t remember to sleep, or take a warm bath. My physically ill female “holds hands” when I’m sick, and pats or scratches me, if I pass out, with asthma. I, once, saw her do what looked just like chest compressions on a cat without a pulse (my old senior, who has passed, but she gave him extra time). She pushed him on his back, and kneaded his chest hard & he came back around. I couldn’t have done that for a 6 pound cat. I got 2 that stay with me…one cat with severe allergies, inflammatory bowel, & hyperesthesia syndrome, and one with FIV. She fought infections for 6 months, as an abandoned kitten, but she’s stable, now. Cool to hear from another animal rescuer! You’re so right! We do find things that more than fill the void left by drugs, and they actually mean something to us. I also love helping people get through hard times, and seek recovery, but I like that you didn’t emphasize that, in your comment. Some of us need to do something completely unrelated to addiction/recovery, or need to at certain points in our lives. I definitely had to find out who I am, before I could help other people without feeling fragile. Some of us contribute, in other ways, or would rather do it by being an understanding person than as a job, or haven’t found an opportunity in that area. Either way, our lives and experiences are valuable. Sometimes well-intentioned encouragement to “get out and help others, like you” feels like pressure. People can also help SA survivors, kids at risk of Special Ed placement, people in poverty, animals, or themselves, and be doing what they’re happy to be doing, and helping others, like themselves. Doing what keeps you going is the important thing! Glad you hear you’re thriving, in recovery! Sometimes we’re struggling, in recovery, but as long as we keep on keeping on, it’s good!

@@sciencenotsrigma Very well said. Thanks for sharing all of that, and congratulations on your recovery. I'm a huge animal lover, so I love that you help save animals. I hope you continue to be a beacon of light to all those (people & animals) you cross paths with. 🙏

@@unheardvoices_official Thank you so much. That means a lot to me. I’m struggling to finish my degree program, with my health issues, so your vote of confidence in my ability to to help others is more motivating than I can say!

I'm praying for him, too, Louise. I hope he manages to get up out of there. 🙏

his entire persona is wrapped into this way of life , he has no intention of ever changing his behavior

@@MrLeonightis I've seen people way worse off than him turn it all around.

That's awesome. Congratulations on getting clean. I just hit 10 years clean myself back in April. I totally get it.

He definitely has the potential, Shelly. I'm rooting for him. 🙏

If you take a cocktail of "comfort" meds, it isn't bad at all.

@@JeffDavis-hg2to. Yeah, it was like night and day, going to a treatment that did medical detox, vs. one that did not, for me. Some people who are detoxing from tranq still have a rough time, even with the meds treatment centers use, currently. I’ve seen it. Hopefully, they will find more ways to help with that soon.

Congratulations on getting clean. That's amazing. Keep going. You got this!

🙏

Why can't you give yourself credit? You're the one who fought through your addiction...not god. You're the amazing one!!

I agree wholeheartedly, Jan. I was an addict myself for 18 years. I just hit 10 years clean back in April. You're right. He will never regret getting clean. I hope he manages to take those steps and get the help he needs. I'm rooting for him. 🙏

My sister can't work cause her arms show tracks! 💉

@@User-34895. 💯! The struggle is real! There are some employers out there who would value her experience. If she’s into helping others with addictions and/or mental illness, she could look up Certified Peer Recovery Specialist training, if she’s interested. There are, often, need based scholarships, the training is largely on the job, and they specifically hire people who HAVE experienced Substance Use Disorders and/or mental illness. Not everyone wants to do that, or is able to, but a lot of people are, so I just thought I’d mention it. I know an NA sponsor and people with one year in recovery, who are in paid positions, now. Americorps, now, has a Recovery Corps, too, in some states. ❤.

@@User-34895 I'm sorry to hear that. Can she wear long sleeve shirts to cover them up?

@@User-34895 tell her to wear long sleeve tops

Absolutely, Tim. I agree about the social worker or shelter volunteer. Those interviews will definitely be coming. I was addicted to drugs myself for 18 years. I've been homeless, in and out of treatment centers, etc. I just hit 10 years clean back in April. These interviews also give me a chance to get in front of people struggling and share my story with them so they can see what change actually looks like. Thanks so much for supporting the channel. It's definitely appreciated. 🙏

Absolutely, Annie. 🙏

I definitely appreciate the support, bro!! Mark is definitely intelligent and can definitely turn this around. I know what you mean about taking that first step. It's definitely scary. I was addicted to drugs myself for 18 years. I just hit 10 years clean back in April. Congratulations on overcoming it, bro!! That's what's up!

I appreciate all the love and support he's getting. I hope he sees all these comments and decides to give himself the chance he deserves. I'm rooting for him. 🙏

Well said, Krystian.

I don’t think I would have got and stayed off drugs, without a really good treatment counselor. I did have one who was above and beyond the others I’ve had. That’s what motivates me to help others now, because I see how important that was to me, to have. There are some good people in the treatment field, but I definitely know what you mean. There are many, who go to programs that are desperately in need of new methods. I don’t mean new, because there are effective, existing methods, but some centers continue to employ ineffective, cheaper ones. I’ve been to more of those places. and only one helpful one…and that’s all it took!

@@sciencenotsrigma A really good counselor is definitely important. A had a few help me along in my journey, and it meant the world.

@@unheardvoices_official I still see mine, for individual counseling, and I to the fact that she also is in recovery from “hard” drugs and has a meaningful life and work was really important for me to see! I didn’t think I could come back from that, but here we all are, still recovering 😊 !

@@sciencenotsrigma Absolutely! 🙏

You're right. There's definitely no happy ever after in the streets.

Yea, Kensington is wild, too. I've done a few interviews out there. I was completely shocked my first time there. I hope to see this guy win as well. 🙏

@@unheardvoices_official good on you for giving them a platform to speak on, I know I would’ve loved to share my story when I was out there. Keep going 💯

@@L.V.X_LOTUS I definitely appreciate the support.

Absolutely! 🙏

Is that why there’s always so much scratching? I often wondered what they’re feeling.

@@humboldtharry1289 yes. On top of that the opiates cause itching. The best way to get rid of it for good is to medically ween yourself off slowly over time. Slowly your brain heals and you can get back to normal again. The problem is the stronger the opiate the stronger the withdrawal and the longer it takes to ween. It’s just hard to find the right doctors and rehabs to properly do it

Yea, I hear it's terrible, Jon. It sounds bad the way you describe it.

@@humboldtharry1289 I'm assuming that's why.

It can definitely be hard to make it with no family or no support system. I hope he's able to get out of that life as well. 🙏

@@unheardvoices_official. I’ve got family, but the relative I’ve got needs more support than they can give. It’s always been like that. That’s why I left home young, not because I was in a hurry to grow up! I, often, see people tell interviewees on these channels to go home. If a lot of us had a home, with supportive family, we wouldn’t be out there, to begin with! Life gets real. I hope this man finds the resources and support to make it out! ❤

@@sciencenotsrigma Life definitely gets real, and I understand completely. I hope he finds the resources he needs as well. 🙏

@@unheardvoices_official I guess YT deleted my reply, or something. 🤷‍♀️

Well said. And yes, Kensington is off the chain, too.

Damn. That's crazy, Sarah.

what is a bag? a few mg of nitazenes or fent?

@MaximillianJ I'm not 100% sure how much is in a bag. It's sold in pill capsules a lot in Baltimore. I would imagine it's a similar amount to a capsule.

@@unheardvoices_official it’s like one dose. Don’t know how much it weighs

@@yankees29 Gotcha. Thanks for the info.

So are a lot of people’s, in active addiction. That can and does change, in recovery! It’s impossible to look at people and know who will make it out, or not. I’ve seen people surprise everyone!

@@sciencenotsrigma I've seen people surprise everyone, too.

@@sciencenotsrigma a leopard don't change its spots ,his brain is hardwired to live this life

@@MrLeonightis I got my information in a formal graduate neuroscience program, as well as my own life and field experience. That’s a myth. Addiction makes brain changes that are easily visualized on brain scans. So is the process of addiction. Active addiction is interpreted as a survival emergency by the midbrain, so the brain starts destroying pathways to the prefrontal cortex, because higher order thinking (rational decision making, moral reasoning), is considered a luxury the human organism can’t afford, in a survival emergency. This renders these functions offline, so people can use their survival instincts, which legit signal them to use drugs. This glitch occurs because things that produce the highest level of dopamine in nature are, actually, good for us. The midbrain can’t think so. The midbrain doesn’t know that we can now synthesize substances that cause dopamine release. Therefore, it labels drug use as extremely important for survival, because it ranks survival activities in order of importance, according to amount of dopamine release they achieve. This isn’t hedonism. Dopamine is essential for human motivation. The emergency comes in, when people have low dopamine, which happens when we crash. This triggers the emergency mode that shuts down our better thinking. Addiction is just a glitch in the human survival system, because the midbrain did not keep pace with the evolution of the prefrontal cortex. The only way to end the emergency situation is to abstain from drugs for a significant period of time. It takes an average of one to three years for the brain to recover and build new pathways to the PFC, which restore its functioning. The PFC can be pictured as the angel on one shoulder. When the “angel” is disabled, the “devil” (our ancient midbrain, also known as the Lizard brain, though it’s properly the common mammalian brain we have in common with other mammals) takes control. This is not a moral condition. It’s a physiological condition, and that’s just a common metaphor people use, but it is actually a good comparison, so it’s useful here. Abstaining for 1-3 years is not as easy as it sounds, because the midbrain continues to signal the person to use substances, though the signals become less frequent, over time. The trick is to “convince” the midbrain that the substance is no longer available in the human habitat. This only happens if people abstain from using it. 18 month treatments or longer are most effective, and aftercare and support are important. Professionals must understand the problem is neurological, not moral or psychological. Trauma does put people at higher risk for addiction, as well as mental illness and despair, because when chemical imbalance exists, the brain records the initial substance use as even more significant. People do recover, and when they do, they are as moral as they were before addiction. Addiction is not statistically linked with ASPD, or other disorders of lack of empathy or moral behavior. It is linked with disorders affecting judgment and impulse control, as well as with trauma.

@@MrLeonightis For more information on the neurobiology of addiction, Marc Lewis, PhD has videos on YT.

Yep. That's right there, James.

🙏

Absolutely! 🙏

Seriously, ain't no such thing as part time. Never saw anyone, rich or poor, who doesn't dive in head first.

@@MaximillianJ For sure. I've met some people who may only party on the weekends, but very few. It's all or nothing with a lot of people.

Definitely.

@@unheardvoices_official With opiates, especially pharmaceuticals, I have found that the only thing that slows people down is money, jail time, or a fatal OD...Those who have been affected by someone with addiction, you can't pay them to take a pharmaceutical. The real sad part is my generation (24yr old) doesn't even know what a real Roxi 30 looks like. Its all Mallinkrodt 30 presses for like $7. I don't know anything about the fent game so $3 for a "bag" is so sad. The dealers know what they are doing. Insane that they would hustle that and see any kind of profit.

For sure. That's crazy.

The patches can definitely help. I've spoken to a lot of people who swear by them. I hope to be out in Florida doing interviews during the summer.