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DEL.ICIO.USPurple’s the hue of a whole new life
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It started out as fun, a way to extend the weekend partying.
Before long, though, Russell Cook was hooked on crystal meth. Smoked it every day. He failed a random drug test and lost his job as an EMT at Grady Hospital. He lost his apartment and sold whatever he owned to pay bills, and to keep using.
“I never used it when I was at work in the beginning, only on weekends,” he told me. “One day I was having fun with it. The next, I was in over my head and couldn’t get out.”
Cook is talking to me on his cellphone. He’s headed to have coffee with the guys at Purple Inc., a men’s residential substance abuse program. This red farmhouse off Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, which the Badie Tour visited, was Cook’s home for six months back in the spring of 2005.
We are inundated with tabloid news about Britney’s and Lindsay’s struggles with sobriety. They’ve got the money to dip in and out of rehab. Their stories make me wonder about everyday people with addictions.
Where can they go for somewhat affordable treatment?
In Gwinnett, Purple Inc., a for-profit recovery program, was founded in 2003 for that very purpose. Joel Bagley and his son, Brett, had experience with addiction. Credit Brett’s drug-craving teen years. The cost of his outpatient treatment inspired them years later to design a state-certified program - a less costly alternative.
As Brett, the program director, told me, “We treat the average Joes of Gwinnett County, from the EMT, to the judge, to the diesel mechanic, to the small business owner.”
In 2005, Cook’s parents decided it was time for a change. They sold Cook’s Nissan Xterra to help pay for the $2,000-a-month program. Cook’s father picked him up from the Walton County jail, where he faced drug-related charges and other violations.
“At this point, I had been doing meth for the past few years, large quantities of it,” Cook said. “I was completely insane.”
Initially, he was angry - at himself for his actions, that he liked getting high.
“I was not your star student,” the Shiloh High grad told me.
Cook can’t pinpoint a “moment of clarity” or any kind of epiphany that sparked his sobriety. He just remembers, months after being in the program, that he stopped thinking about getting high.
“There’s no way for me to tell you when the change happened,” Cook said. “I was working through the 12-step recovery program with a sponsor, and I just wanted to change. I wanted my insides to feel differently.”
Today he’s on a brighter path. He oversees the receiving department for a local Home Depot. He has a girlfriend and a 3-month-old daughter. He’s been sober for nearly three years.
Every week, he stops by Purple Inc. to talk to guys, help them along, keep them from lapsing. Not all will win the battle. Bagley, the program director, said many don’t.
“It’s simple to overcome an addiction,” Cook told me. “It’s just not easy.”
For more information about Purple Inc., visit www.purpletreatment.com or call 770-962-8215.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By Anon
February 21, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Rehab is for quitters!!!
I’ve never understood addicitons. If you want to stop a behaviour, then stop it.
If you have a problem drinking, quit buying alcohol. Drugs, same thing. Stop hanging out with people whom you associate with, stop buying the drugs or alcohol……easy peasy..
Only you can change yourself and your behaviour. And you can truly do that if you REALLY want to.
By LT5000
February 21, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
I have had an experience with an alcoholic. First hand.
It was sad. These people are selfish and don’t give a damn about anyone or anything about them.
Usually it takes a earth shattering event to get them straight, and if that doesn’t happen they kill themselves. Usually leaving a wake of misery in their path.
I will never put myself through it again. I don’t buy it’s a disease, it’s just a weakness of character combined with extreme selfishness.
LT5000
By Bruce Wilcox
February 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Ignorance of addiction is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome. Luckily we have enough perfect people more than willing to enlighten the masses.
By Michael H. Smith
February 21, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Well said Mr. Wilcox. The best minds in medical science are continually learning about addictions. No, addictions are not a disease and they are often more than a mere habit. A chemical dependency can completely re-wire so to speak the entire human body, so that the person we once thought we knew becomes many times unalterably a person we can no longer recognize. I’ll leave it at that.
By yep
February 21, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Wow, ignorance is bliss!
Those of you who have actually worked with addicts know it’s not simply the act of “putting it down”. If it were that easy things would indeed be great.
Hey Anon, I urge you to go take a few hits of crack, or shoot some heroin, just to try. Then just “put it down” like you say.
Let us know how the experiment goes.
LT5000, I’m sure the alcoholic you dealt with, is very gracious of all the support you gave them. You sound like a real winner.
By LT5000
February 21, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
To all you retards who consider me an uncaring moron about addiction.
I will tell you what I did.
1) Forced the person to go to AA meetings. Driving them myself.
2)Checked them into a rehab facility.
3) Took them to a psychologist to get to the root of the problem.
4) Contacted their other friends and family in order to get everyone involved.
Still no sobriety. Just selfishness.
I’m sure my experience in the matter outweighs all of yours combined.
So take my “F you” to heart
Now if only someone could help Brucie and Michael with their addiction to issuing chronically stupid statements.
LT5000
By Anon
February 21, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Yep Sorry, I’m not STUPID enough to put something like that into my body. Only losers do drugs. What an utterly stupid comment.
I’m to smart to try drugs, let alone be addicted to drugs.
And if you are stupid enough to put drugs into your body, you get what you deserve. Just don’t come crying to me when you can’t get off the stuff you started.
I have no tolerance for stupid people or losers who do drugs.
By Ted
February 21, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Careful Anon, none of knows what tomorrow may bring.
By Anon
February 21, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Ted no worries. There is nothing in this world that could possibly happen that would cause me to put a drug into my body and become an addict and allow it to take over my life.
I know how to handle life without a crutch. I didn’t get this far being stupid.
By Julie
February 21, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
There, but for the grace of God, go I!!
By L'Wren
February 21, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
“Anon” (quite an original name, btw) must be perfect. It must be nice.
By BCR
February 21, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
People are not only addicted to illegal drugs. There are probably as many or more people addicted to prescription drugs. Hope nobody on here gets sick or hurt and has to take one of these powerful drugs as treatment. Some of the most highly addictive drugs are prescribed. So don’t get so high and mighty with your thinking, you never know what the future holds.
By juanita
February 21, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Anon:
I’m glad to know that you are smart and strong. However, you may at sometime in this life, have a close friend, family or someone you really love, fall victim to an addiction. Then and only then will you feel the pain and agony of what addiction does to destroy a family/relationship. All have sinned and come short of God’s glory. The stronger are to bear the infirmities of the weak. God has a way of equalizing all of us. Be careful what you say. Addiction does not discriminate.
By one day at a time...
February 21, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Before rehab facilities existed there were 12 step meetings, which are free and which help a lot of people IF they want to be helped. Rehab facilities are for-profit, and even if the person doesn’t make it the facility still makes its money, which is sad. Everyone in the mental health field wants to jump on the fixing bandwagon, but the best way is still one addict helping another. Celebs have the money to go in again and again, but many still don’t make it until they’re really serious. Often people don’t get help until they’re under duress from friends/family but it doesn’t stick until they are hurting bad enough and want to get better for themselves.
By jmc
February 21, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Anon- Scenario - you’ve had a disabling car accident and your in chronic pain. The doctors have you on 10mg loratab every four hours just to ease it some what. After 5 weeks, your system has gotton use to the loratab and your now having to take 20mg every 4 hours for the same effect. This continues for over a year until you have surgery and by now your up to 30mg every 4 hours. Try waking out from surgery and never taking another one. You can’t, because your body is craving the drug. Was it your fault for getting hooked on the pain medicine? NO, but you die. Just food for thought because this happens to a lot of people.
By LT5000
February 21, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
jmc and yep,
I love the people in here who cook up hypothetical scenarios where someone who doesn’t tolerate addiction becomes an addict.
Hey, how about those people who get in a bad car wreck and don’t become addicts?
Truth be told a small number of addicts are these type. The real numbers are Alkies and druggies who care nothing for themselves or others. As long as they can get high.
At the core of these addicts is a psychological disturbance, selfishness and a weak character. These combined factors make them sit around and cry “Woe is me”, instead of dealing with the issue.
People who sit around crying and making excuses for them are only enablers.
LT5000
By Jen
February 21, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
I have no doubt that addictions are a disease and can wreck a marriage, deplete resources and totally drain the loved ones of addicted persons. My exhusband was on a collision course and I didn’t realize how severe until I was paged at my workplace. My 3 year old daughter had reported to her daycare teacher that daddy hurts her…I also had a 2 year old daughter. Both were sexually abused by their father. The drugs had allowed his inhibitions to run rampant. Incest rape-or any other kind-is not a crime of sex as much as anger and control, though it shows itself that way. He pled guilty on all charges, including marijuana possession and intent to distribute. He has spend 12 years in jail and is now in therapy groups for another 12 years for parole requirements, plus registering on the state sex offenders registry. The man had become a Jekyll/Hyde due to his abuse of drugs.
I thank God for people like those at Purple, Inc also other groups and individuals that want to help and reach those who abuse to change their way of living, turn them selves around and truly live.
By LT5000
February 21, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
A disease?
If 100 people were stuck on a desert island how many would catch “alcoholism” or “drug addiction”?
Obesity and Addiction aren’t diseases, they are 100% curable. If only all “diseases” were so easily curable.
LT5000
By Becky
February 21, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
BRC, I agree with you. I have known people like that..Jen, sorry about what your children were put through..Althugh if that had been my children, he wouldn’t of been alive to go to prison..
By Michael H. Smith
February 22, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
LT 5000 get real. You are no authority on intellect. You’re just another stupid opinion expressed.
By Michael H. Smith
February 22, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this
I agree with you one day at a time. The addict has to want to overcome the substance that has control over their bodies chemically and come to terms with themselves mentally. I don’t pity addicts in general, after all they made a choice, a bad one nonetheless for whatever poor reasons and I don’t spend anytime on useless pompous condemnations only to make an @ss of myself to benefit my pitiful ego.
Addiction is a serious problem in this country and it is growing, despite the war on drugs and, “just say no”, the message seems to be falling on deaf ears. Addiction is preventable, addictions is treatable, though, “addiction really is not curable” as some stupid people insist (remember, “addiction is not a disease”). Once you are an addict, you are always an addict for the rest of your life. There are two types of addicts, would you agree one day at a time: The addicts who are using and the addicts who are in recovery.
By yep
February 22, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
LT, You dealt with one alcoholic. That really makes you an expert in the field. I’ve dealt with hundreds in my profession, and no I’m not a therapist/rehab counselor. People don’t “think up hypothetical scenarios” they are a part of daily life and happen every day. From good church going ladies and to homeless people alike.
So you can take your “FU” and place it in your narrow minded SELFISH (yes you) butt.
Anon, how truly moronic you are. The statements you made show you truly have a great (note sarcasm) education in this subject. Why not find something you truly know something about, and post there?
Oh and my mother had breast cancer, but I don’t think she “caught it” from anyone. Must not be a disease then!!!
By LT5000
February 22, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Hey yep,
I sat in on the AA meetings, these people admit they are weak and selfish. And they cared nothing for anyone else, they only wanted to get high. Basically they were scumbags.
Straight from the AA members mouth.
Most of these people were there due to court mandates. No church going ladies in the ones I attended.
Basically, I don’t believe you at all. What is your profession. Liquor store owner?
My point is that it is not a disease. If people are stranded on a deserted island, 0% would “catch” alcoholism or drug addiction.
Don’t tolerate these people, try to help them, if they won’t change, forget them.
LT5000
By Bruce Wilcox
February 23, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this
Let’s see, so far we have “Rehab is for quitters!!!”, “If you want to stop a behaviour, then stop it.”, “I don’t buy it’s a disease, it’s just a weakness of character combined with extreme selfishness.” all you have to do is add Doctor Shopping to the list and you have Rush Limbaugh!
By Michael H. Smith
February 23, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this
Taking a slightly different bent, though, remaining within the scope of the subject matter at hand, there is now before our state legislatures a bill, House Bill 455, called the Georgia Prescription Monitoring Program Act that would track prescription drugs and how they are dispensed.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/02/21/benoit_0222.html
Is it the place of government to watchdog what drugs your doctor prescribes, and what of the potential for the violations of a patients constitutional rights that could arise from the this bill should it become law? What safeguards will be put into place to protect the private information collected and put into the database? And, probably of importance to the conservative at heart, is the question of funding: From whence will the money needed to fund this program be collected? Will we tax payers be forced to pay an additional tax/fee on prescription drug purchases?
With prescription drug abuse now becoming a problem that some might tend to say equals that of street drugs, it is understandable why such a law is being considered. Others will decry it as one more nanny state big brother piece of tripe, meant to keep people from making poor choices. There is one statement contained in this AJC article that finds me at odds with one of our lawmakers:
“We could have saved his life, if we had this bill last year,” Stephens said.
With all due respects Rep. Stephens: The lives of Johnny Grunge and Chris Benoit would have not been saved by this bill having been law. They would have only turned to street drugs or more of them, to kill the mental pain that was far greater than any physical sufferings that was present in their lives.
All the well intended drug abuse prevention laws and all the substance abuse treatment programs in the world cannot replace or serve the greater good delivered in driving home one very important message to think about before ever taking that pill, that drink, that hit, that puff or inhaling some chemical is this question: Will I become addicted to this substance?
America is an addict nation, though substance abuse is not caught like the common cold empirical evidence concludes that the attitudes in our society that make substance abuse possible remain highly contagious.
For my part, in the aftermath of poor choices made by the addicted, I long to see legislation brought before the general assembly that will mandate a portion of all so-called sin taxes the state collects on alcohol, tobacco and monies confiscated via illegal drug prosecution be dedicated to assist in funding treatment programs for individuals that fall into the category of Mr. Badie’s focus that reside in this state to help the few that can be helped in overcoming substance abuse.
By Michael H. Smith
February 23, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this
BTW add this to my last comment.
Needless to say state legislators, I am not silly enough to hold my breath waiting on enactment of such a substantive law.