Thank you for letting me do the interview Mark. I appreciate all the positivity that everyone is putting out there. Without going too deep, I’m about 2 months clean at this point and in a sober living facility. California provided me services that aren’t available in Utah under Medicaid (Medi-Cal) like much needed dental work.
john is very smart n self aware.. praying for you bud. i’m 3 weeks clean no beer.. i’m depressed and currently seeking help for my mental health n a detox. . these videos give me hope. thank you mark.
I really appreciate Mark's comment, "part of maturing as an adult, as a human, is dealing with those (rough) emotions so they don't affect you so strongly anymore. You can't just escape with Pot every time you get those emotions because you will never mature".
Nearly everyone i know, myself included start using* ... there aint no " oh my life is soooo terrible i need to stsrt using heroin" please! *because ya just try it! Full stop! People hark back to there sad childhood later on and it BS...
@@nhlibra I wish it could be that simple for me and that I could juss be a chronic weed smoker as you put it but unfortunately 😕 I can't smoke weed at all it makes me very paranoid and violent yup I deal with my ailments with ibuprofen and lidocaine patches how about you
thought it was kinda lame of him just to tell this kid that conclusion instead of letting people give conclusions from their experience. kind of a tired line too. like alcohol has much worse conversion rates to adult addiction of any kind.
also anyone genuinely interested in preventing opioid deaths can look into how legalization of weed reduces overdoses in specific areas even just when going from 1 to 2 legal dispensaries in an area.
This guy is so self aware! He understands empathy and what the people around him go through.. the affects his actions make. Bipolar does not make things easy! The more help you get and the more you understand yourself and your patterns, hopefully the easier it will make your recovery process. We all wish you the best!!!
This is a common story. It's so easy to get caught up in the lifestyle, but sometimes, it's so hard to get out. Love the work, Mark. I can't believe that UA-cam would demonitise any of the stories. People need to know what "simple" drug use can and will lead to.
John I had to comment again after listening to the full interview. You are like me very smart and connected. You are one of the few that can definitely beat this. Pills and homelessness and losing my kids woke me up. Good luck brother
John, So appreciative that you brought up some very important points with Mark in your interview today. You are close to my son's age. I heard many wise and introspective statements from you, thank you for sharing with us. Please consider prioritizing rehab because waiting for housing to be lined up first, may take longer than you think. Take care of yourself and be safe.💜
So I have dealt with opioid addiction, I was addicted to OxyContin for about ten years maybe a little more. I also smoked weed starting from the age of 12. For me I had to quit everything, it seemed like weed would always lead me right back to using and for me also weed robbed me of all ambition. I’ve been clean now for 12 years and I’ve owned my construction business for the last ten years. My rock bottom wasn’t being homeless though it was the look of disappointment in my children’s eyes and perpetually being broke that pushed me to change my life. I should say too that my addiction started from a Percocet prescription for a broken arm. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish when your not chemically dependent on a substance.
So sad that this guy believes marijuana is a gateway drug. Many ppl find it controls significant pain that typical prescription 'drugs' do not. Enough excuses ... we need accountability for choosing destructive paths.
OMG the minute he started talking I said to myself “He’s s white but he talks like a Latino, a Chicano”. I thought he might be half white/half Hispanic. Then he revealed that he had been raised around Hispanics and his accent made sense. It’s sad he was around Hispanics who were gang affiliated and drug users because many of us Latinos aren’t. This is definite proof that the environment you put a child in is so crucial.
I love a speaker with an eloquent lexicon. John I enjoyed listening to your prospective on drugs. Very VERY spot on my friend. Take Care and get the help !!! ❤u deserve it sweetie
Hi John. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I completely agree with you at 9:02 .. when I was 15 years old, I was prescribed Vicodin when I had my wisdom tooth pulled. An entire bottle PLUS a refill. The dental surgeon sent us home with the pills and as soon as we got back, my mother flushed them down the toilet. Never touched the stuff. Can’t believe I was only in ninth grade when I was handed those kinds of drugs. This was in 2003. I so hope you were able to get sober. You have so much clarity and a tremendous understanding of the situation you’re in and of the reality around you. You can do it John, I believe in you.🙏🏻
Mark. Would love to hear a question in your interview for the abuser/drug addicts. Did this start because of physical pain that wasn’t controlled? Emotional pain? Or the want to have a high and floating moment? I’ve long thought of causes but you have the unique opportunity to ask. To get truthful (mostly) input from these wonderful people. Yes, wonderful because they are willing to share their hearts!
You are bright and intelligent and you’re life is precious! One step at a time! Great to hear you are taking the steps forward! Wish you the best! I know you’ll get there!
Smart young man. Keep being who you are because who you are is going to work well for you as long as you - GET. OFF. DRUGS. You’ll find a life well lived is worth living sober.
John- I'm so glad that you've found a situation that works for you. You are so well spoken and smart, good luck to you in your journey. The interview was fascinating, thank you.
You can always run away, but you can never run from yourself. You went there for help. Get into treatment and the rest,( housing, job etc) will fall into place. You cannot be looking for housing before you take care of yourself. There's always an excuse until you're truly ready. I hope you take yourself to a treatment facility and realize you're worth it. Good luck to you.
I have heard time and time again in these interviews...that the waiting list to get housing in CA is a long waiting list. Then I thought about what you've stated because Ive seen this written by other (experienced) commenters such as yourself. Third, I remember other interviewees state that after finishing rehab, they had no place to go...and ended back in Skid Row. At least John could return to his mother's house once he finishes rehab, if she is OK with that. He'd have to be willing to leave CA (not easy to leave at his age...the better weather and CA is really beautiful, it is very alluring). For many, it's an endless cycle, like a hamster wheel.
@@nhlibra I know here, in my state, there are grants and sober living housing. I have helped people with substance abuse get help. There are people to help guide you in the right direction.
@@kimalaniz8617 There is a huge housing crisis in CA. I have family members in both LA and S.D. that are architects and R.E. developers. Glad to hear you are so helpful where you live. Bless you 💜
You don’t need to worry about housing first… the rehabs are LIVE IN treatments who help you find housing afterwards. Generally after you graduate the rehab then you live in the sober living facilities and they help you find a job, go to school, and find long term housing. So don’t think like that… just find the rehab and go. The rest will fix itself. Also, I’d suggest going outside of downtown LA to find a rehab… if you go to a smaller city you can usually find better live in rehabs. Like any of the cities. Riverside, Long Beach, the Valley… or whatever. Good luck 🍀
Oh the part about weed! I know it is supposed to be beneficial in some instances, but I COMPLETELY agree that self medicating with weed is a crutch. People need to learn real coping skills for anxiety and depression. Same with alcohol. I chose to live sober for the past 8 years. It’s been really hard coping with daily life at times, but for myself- creating art, nature walking, and just being open in my struggles has been huge for me. I also started a gratitude journal where I try to write 3 things I’m grateful for every week. It helps to refocus my thoughts to more positive things.
What may work for you may not work for others. Cannabis is a plant, the most natural and relatively harmless of all abused substances. It helps people in different ways and you should try to be more open minded.
ecstasy is no joke.. it can permanently fry your serotonin receptors in your brain, which makes it very hard for you to feel happy once those are gone.
I would definitely say, that drugs do stunt emotional growth. I’ve seen it in so many people. Life is hard, learning to deal with trauma/unwanted emotional pain, is very difficult, but I’m living proof that you can do this without drugs,illegal & legal. Mental illnesses are different, & some people need intervention with prescribed drugs. I have ocd, that controls much of my life, but sheer determination, a strong mind & my faith have kept me drug free all my life, apart from a short period in my late teens, where I dabbled a little in drugs, just out of curiosity, but quickly realised, even during such a short period, that they were messing me up further, plus my conscience was acutely aware how wrong it was to take drugs, so I quit. I’ve had times in my life & still do, where I can’t cope, flashbacks, horrendous ocd, but I’m a mum, a nana, I work full time, run a home, give my time to people who need me, attend meetings at my place of worship & study the bible & study up for bible based meetings. So, for me, keeping super busy & active, keeps me sane & ticking over. Everyone’s different though & even though I had a traumatic childhood & was a child carer for my mum, & had two very abusive relationships with men, my mum loved me & that love has remained with me, always, but she died too soon, when I was young. Some don’t have that mother’s love, so I don’t judge those whose lives have gone down the drug path, cos that could have so easily been me. X
He's got a pretty good chance at finding Sober Path..he's honest about his addiction. And? When he said bout using "softer" drugs. ? And next day ur just depressed and broke. But by noon ur better? Leads to Hard Drugs that You have to have in order function and get outta withdrawals..4 years clean ( just celebrated 2 days ago) I still smoke weed. It helped me personally. This dude gonna be ok. I know it 🦬 Buffalo NY rooting for him Thnx Mark too!!
I wish mark would expand the soft white underbelly as a franchise and have interviewers in diff states would love to hear shi from NY cuz I’m in jersey or even shi in Chicago or south Florida since I grew up there
Search his channel. He's been to Florida and he's been to Jersey and he's been to New York and he's been to Philly. Also, maybe you haven't noticed this, but very few of the people in Skid Row are from Skid Row. In fact, they're from all of those other places, he just mentioned and more. I think a lot of people from Jersey go to Philly to Kensington. I lived in Philly, all my life and God , why do people from New York ended up on Kensington Avenue
NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Memphis, New Jersey, Kentucky, West Virginia, Florida, New Mexico, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New Orleans next week.
Hey john. I relate to you a lot. I quit benzos and opiates and even speed. But I could never put down the weed. I put it down for about 3 years before I got pregnant and while I was breastfeeding, but then picked it right back up. I regret re-introducing it into my life again. I hope you're able to quit
P.s. been off the "hard stuff' for almost 10 years now. Feels great to not have the monkey on my shoulder honestly. But I still wish I could stop smoking pot
@@NeuroGeek85 Thank you for the support, I posted a comment and a 15 sec short with an update. I get it, relapse is so easy. But if we can honest we would much rather you use marijuana everyday than ANY type of opioid/hard drug. 💜
While I listen, he sees this prescription world differently than I do. (First, dental is a HUGE anxiety trigger for me) having a tooth pulled (mine were never easy, always embedded in the jaw or nerve). Pain is real. BUT the key is taking as directed AND doing the adjunct things to help: ice packs, salt water etc. I have a nature that is a total rule follower so the thought of taking one more just doesn’t cross my mind. For our youth, teenagers: do not give the medications to them. The parent should still be in charge of the meds and helping them to work through those times of harder pain. Yet, I’ve seen a mom, sigh and say “here, take another one. It will help.” That’s the slide. Or if they have their own meds in their room “I hurt so bad, going to take a second one.” Not even with the intent for getting high. Just to stop the pain. Some people have incredibly low pain thresholds. These are another group to find alternative ways of helping. Doesn’t mean don’t prescribe a medication but also do this activity and this one. Pain is such a powerful feeling and emotion. There are a few diseases which have the informal name of “suicide syndromes”. Meaning the pain those diseases deliver to a human is almost unbearable. My heart breaks for them. With the new culture of not prescribing-they are left in so much pain. What I’m saying, don’t stop writing for a med BUT work with the family and patient to add adjunct help. Work with them to make sure the slip doesn’t happen; or if it does-how to course correct. And that doesn’t mean to shame the patient or family. It means finding something to help. And that’s the rub. That level of care and monitoring is beyond what many practices can deliver. Wishing him all the best.
ive got a feeling one day pain meds will be used for nothing other than end-of-life comfort. My intuition tells me the pain serves it's own purpose during the healing process just like inflammation.
good evening from Shanghai 7:39pm. Studied in Brooklyn around 2010 and got my master degree. So glad reading your Brooklyn “good morning” . Miss the city so much ❤🌍
A great way to start the morning? With a film that's almost a predictable format now of a depressed person suffering with addiction telling the same old story? I'm sorry but I have been battling addiction for 20 years and although I have had things under control for the last few years, I can honestly say this NOT a great way to start the morning!! Start with some meditation or breathing exercises or watch some relaxation videos or positive thinking techniques. Or even have a nice bowl of cereal... there are many better ways of starting the morning than this!! x
Dude - going skid row to get clean is magical thinking. Get into a free program, they are all over so cal. You are at the sliding door life, it only goes down from here. You still look healthy and have a chance - take that ticket man - look around you thats what is awaiting if you pass by the opportunity Best wishes
My ex husband lives in Rose Park Utah. And all I can say is EVERYONE has bars on their windows and there is A LOT of illegal things going on in that area. I know it doesn't compare to other states and cities problems- like huge gang violence and homelessness and all that- but for Utah it's a really scary place to go to let alone live in there. GODSPEED John. I wish you the best. ✌️🤟🖤
It's bad.. but not that bad, lol. Really, it isn't. Most of Rose Park is kind of cute, that's why you always see gay guys buying there as a sort of renovation and design project. Compared to places like Cypress, Kearns, deep West Valley, West Ogden, etc and more it's a fairly decent area. And about 3 minutes from downtown
You remind me of two of my nephew's...Both had so much going for them and both in their mid twenties....Today both are dead due to drugs.... Hope you get out of the life.
What scares me Is the thought of an entire generation of people who have grown up with a phone/laptop/tablet infront of them since the moment they were born. An entire generation of people who have lived their whole lives on the internet/social media.
Just want to say I believe alcohol is THE gateway drug not marijuana. Not many people just start with weed… most start alcohol and then go to weed so… just a thought. People dont recognize alcohol as a drug but it is
I always say alcohol is the gateway drug! Every bad thing, every narcotic I tried I was under the influence of alcohol when I did them. Alcohol was definitely my gateway drug and the same for many friends
I just have to say one thing :) Marijuana is not for everyone ... HOWEVER, to many people it helps to function. Like me, I use marijuana every day. For medical purposes. I literally cannot function properly without it. It helps me stay active and it sure as hell helps me with clear thinking. :) just sayin.
Profound discussion. Everything on point. Marihuna is a gateway drug and is now 47 times stronger than it was in the 60's/70's/80's. I wish John that he gets a place in rehab soon. Anyone who started using drugs as early as he did has a rocky road ahead of them. All the best to John. ✌
As a drug addict myself going on 30 years, using and dealing, I can tell you the ONLY reason Marijuana is a gateway drug is BECAUSE it’s illegal. People who just wanna smoke pot have to come to is street guys who have everything. Getting friendly with drug dealers gets you that much closer and comfortable with other drugs. I see these people, they get friendly with the other users too. They’ll smoke blunts together and start getting rides from each other til the one or two people in that crowd that only smoke pot start coming back by themselves for other sh**. If you was to switch pot and alcohol and make alcohol illegal it would be the same for drinkers. Had most of these pot smokers not had to enter the drug world for their sh** they’d be fine. People like to say “Oh! If you make pot legal children can just buy it in a corner store?” NO! The corner store is where I bought this morning heroin…. and that’s because it’s illegal. You can’t go and buy insulin in a corner store, can you? That’s because it’s regulated. You can’t even buy liquor or beer in a corner stores in a lot of counties. Also the fact that marijuana is stronger, idk about 47 times stronger, but stronger none the less… is good. It means you don’t have to smoke all that extra plant material to feel it. It’s easier on the lungs when all you need is one or two puffs and not a hundred tryna smoke whole blunts to get there.
Saying “marihuna” is a gateway drug is one of those DARE era old fashioned propaganda points that has no scientific basis, lol. Obviously for people who are genetically, environmentally predisposed to substance misuse, weed is likely to be consumed at an early point in their use. However, the concept that something in the chemical makeup of weed eventually leads its users to trying harder drugs, is BS! It’d be like saying, chocolate milk is a gateway drug, because when I was a kid I would get an influx of dopamine while drinking a cup, and now that I’m in my 20s, and let loose with the occasional beer, OMG I’ve stepped up the proverbial gateway of dangerous substances. This isn’t to say one can’t abuse cannabis, or that for some, the high simply won’t suffice anymore. However, I boldly reject the idea that there’s anything chemically unique to cannabis that causes its users to seek out other harder drugs.
@@ikolivelongafter I agree with what you wrote, but I don’t think what you’re saying is the reason that marijuana is considered a gateway drug It’s not due to anything specifically about weed, it’s the fact that it is the safest drug, easiest to access, readily available, and doesn’t have a huge stigma to it. Which causes it to be the first step, so to speak. The first step in being a drug user. It’s the first drug that most people will try, and likely the first drug that every hard drug user had used. Versus a person who won’t smoke weed; therefore it won’t be a gateway to suing other drugs. But for some, it is the gateway that leads to harder drugs. Basically if you’re willing to try weed, that may lead you to try other drugs as well. Opposed to doing no drugs at all Now again , I agree with you and don’t agree with the propaganda. Because the same reasoning should apply to alcohol. It’s a drug as well. But because it has traditionally been legal, it’s not considered in the same way that marijuana was. Now that weed is becoming legalized most places though, maybe this mindset will change over time
@@ikolivelongafter et al Yawn...from the joint to the needle is no longer a fairy tale. While more and more young people are now consuming cannabis, science is now coming to completely different conclusions: Swedish researchers showed in a publication in the specialist journal Neuropsychopharmacology that the active substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is contained in cannabis, makes the brain more susceptible to opiates - and that this has consequences for the developing brains of teenagers. Maria Ellgren and her colleagues from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm conclude this from experiments on rats. According to a UN report, hemp drugs are the cause of around 30 percent of drug therapies in the European Union (EU), according to the annual report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, published on Monday (June 27, 2022). In Africa and some Latin American countries, most such therapies are related to cannabis addiction. The increasing potency of hash and marijuana on the market, combined with regular use, has led to a rise in addiction and mental illness in Western Europe, according to UNODC. In North America, as a result of the legalization of cannabis, consumption is also increasing - especially among young adults. A growing proportion of psychiatric disorders and suicides there are linked to regular cannabis use, the report said. Hospital stays are also increasing. The UNODC acknowledged that the legal sale of these drugs has increased tax revenues and reduced arrests for cannabis possession. In the US CARDIA study: A connection was found between long-term and regular cannabis use and poorer memory performance. The study showed that the so-called long-term potheads have poorer cognitive performance. However, those who smoke weed regularly also do less sport, are more frequently depressed, more often addicted to alcohol, nicotine and other drugs - the German ÄrzteZeitung concedes, which tends to have more effect on poorer cognitive performance. An American research team led by neuropsychologist Randy Schuster from Massachusetts General Hospital found out in a study that the consumption of cannabis has a particularly negative effect on young people under the age of 16: considerable difficulties were found in the under-16s when it came to new ones to learn information. Bright spot: The researchers found that memory performance can improve again after a long period of abstinence, etc. etc. Study “Cannabis: potential and risks (CaPris) 2000 studies (!!!) were evaluated here: according to this, people who consume cannabis are more likely to receive bipolar disorder as an initial diagnosis. The studies show the factors by which anxiety disorders, the risk of suicide increase and much more.
I smoke Marijuana at a young age. It was the easiest thing to say no to when I wised up. I wish cigarettes was that easy. I'm still smoking cigs now. I never escalated to harder drugs, because I still had a mind to think for myself. Weed is the only drug I've ever done, which I quit back in 2006.
Greta interview. Everything but the pot subject. It’s all subjective to the user . I can take a massive dab to eat clean for the day , crush my goals , do homework and clean things up , get a 2 hour workout in , all while taking dabs all day long . So don’t demonize pot on any scale . It’s all about the user ..
I love marijuana, but dabbing is so heavy, it’s more of a drug than just smoking weed or eating an edible. Some of that wax had me on my ass all day and I don’t see how ppl can smoke wax every day like it’s a bowl of weed. Lol y’all are crazy man! But I’m not against it. Marijuana is the best, always will be, but wax is on another level.
My stance on weed is that if you're in a good place in general it won't steer you towards worse things, but if you're using it in a bad state of mind or purely to numb out I can definitely see it being a gateway.
Mark, it would be really interesting to hear what kind of help individuals with bipolar disorder get in the US. I am bipolar type 1, the worst kind. But I am from Sweden and we get almost free medical help. Will this guy be able to get off the drugs if he doesn't get the right help and medications for his bipolar disorder? I think that's what he needs first of all. Thanks for a really great channel.
America needs to do more for mental health ❤️🩹 I'm 65 with PTSD. I self medicated with marijuana til I was 50. In the 80's President Reagan closed down a lot of mental health hospitals. Why because of money 💰 Thank you John & Mark for this insiteful interview ✨❤️🩹🇺🇸
The gateway is parents or guardians tell there kid's that ALL drug are bad, so when a kid uses MJ or "party drugs" those people tell them all drugs are the same, All bad. Then the child that was lied to, tries MJ or something less harmful they realize they have been being lied to, so then they think all the hard drugs are not as dangerous... Alcohol is much more of a gateway, but that can be said about anything ( girls School parties) if you want your children to not go down that road,, take care of them and stop F'n lying to them!!!!!!!
Yes Gram! Great point. The other reason it’s a gateway drug is only because it is illegal. People who just wanna smoke pot have to go to drug dealers for it. Drug dealers have other drugs. Getting friendly with drug dealers only gets you closer and more comfortable with and around other drugs. If you switched pot with alcohol and made alcohol illegal it would be the same for drinkers. They’d have to go to drug houses to get their bottle.
@My eyes Went deaf! @Gram #7 yes, these points are so downplayed! i can’t say this enough: legalized weed reduces opioid deaths in that area!! making something illegal and stigmatizing it just forces people into the shadows-and there’s a lot of other dark shit that you can find in there!!
He must not have liked him or felt like he wasn’t interesting cuz I was liking John’s story but then Mark cut him off and ended it when it felt like John had a lot more to say 🤷🏻♂️
Never a shortage of over eaters to interview, gambling addicts, porn addicts, Cleptomaniacs to interview etc etc etc it's not just drug addicts that there's an abundance of!!! I take offense to your comment!!!! Mark chooses to interview with more, for his personal reasons!!!!
@@lynnbarker8124 "I take offence to your comment" ... that has to be the most depressing thing about these videos.. they all have cr-babies in the comment section being offended or arguing that their point of view is better than somebody else's. So tedious
@@lynnbarker8124 Hey, you're right...but jeez, calm down, lol.. I'm sure the original poster knows that. Maybe YOU, took THEIR comment out of context? Ya think? And I say this as nicely as possible to you. The question here is, Are you humble enough to see what I'm saying?
What about the people wha hasnt deen addicted with heroin cocaine alcohol fentanyl etc etc and smoking pot for 20 years long being with the family have no loans no addictions working like slaves in order to eat and survive with dignity ? Wish you all the best !!! DREAM BIG AND SOBER !!!!
You can get clean friends ❤ you deserve better than what your allowing. Mark, I need an update on Patrick and Rebecca ! Positive vibes to all those still struggling
Thank you for letting me do the interview Mark. I appreciate all the positivity that everyone is putting out there. Without going too deep, I’m about 2 months clean at this point and in a sober living facility. California provided me services that aren’t available in Utah under Medicaid (Medi-Cal) like much needed dental work.
Congratulations, good work and keep it up!!!!!!!
@@baublesanddolls we are proud of you! Sty strong
All the best from the island of Mauritius. One step at a time my friend
We out there 🖤 Sending u love and light. U got this. Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa.
Damn, maybe I need to go back to Cali!
john is very smart n self aware.. praying for you bud. i’m 3 weeks clean no beer.. i’m depressed and currently seeking help for my mental health n a detox. . these videos give me hope. thank you mark.
I was homeless in Denver too until I got clean. It’s rough out here. This kid has so much potential. God help him get through this.
Glad to hear that you got through that Battle! Stay strong! 👌🏽💯 Stay Blessed! 💪🏽
Congrats on kicking.
I really appreciate Mark's comment, "part of maturing as an adult, as a human, is dealing with those (rough) emotions so they don't affect you so strongly anymore. You can't just escape with Pot every time you get those emotions because you will never mature".
Nearly everyone i know, myself included start using* ... there aint no " oh my life is soooo terrible i need to stsrt using heroin" please! *because ya just try it! Full stop! People hark back to there sad childhood later on and it BS...
SAME! My God, I am SO SICK of this endless conversation with people that are chronic weed smokers.
@@nhlibra I wish it could be that simple for me and that I could juss be a chronic weed smoker as you put it but unfortunately 😕 I can't smoke weed at all it makes me very paranoid and violent yup I deal with my ailments with ibuprofen and lidocaine patches how about you
thought it was kinda lame of him just to tell this kid that conclusion instead of letting people give conclusions from their experience. kind of a tired line too. like alcohol has much worse conversion rates to adult addiction of any kind.
also anyone genuinely interested in preventing opioid deaths can look into how legalization of weed reduces overdoses in specific areas even just when going from 1 to 2 legal dispensaries in an area.
Can we get a follow up on this man? Hes so articulate, smart, and seems like a nice guy with huge potential.
Not sure if u have seen but he commented about 2 hours after ur comment. He is in a sober living centre where he is being supported 🥰
Seriously??
This guy is so self aware! He understands empathy and what the people around him go through.. the affects his actions make. Bipolar does not make things easy! The more help you get and the more you understand yourself and your patterns, hopefully the easier it will make your recovery process. We all wish you the best!!!
I like this guy. He's very intelligent and has insight. I hope he gets help to overcome this terrible addiction.
This is a common story. It's so easy to get caught up in the lifestyle, but sometimes, it's so hard to get out.
Love the work, Mark. I can't believe that UA-cam would demonitise any of the stories. People need to know what "simple" drug use can and will lead to.
exactly. these videos should be shown in schools.
John, you can do it! Yesterday has fallen away, tomorrow may never come. Be Here Now.
Thanks, I needed this one today. Struggling really badly right now, but this brings me some clarity.
You got this love 💜💜 one day at a time
John I had to comment again after listening to the full interview. You are like me very smart and connected. You are one of the few that can definitely beat this. Pills and homelessness and losing my kids woke me up. Good luck brother
What a smart, eloquent guy. I can see him really succeeding and making something of himself. Good luck to him!
John,
So appreciative that you brought up some very important points with Mark in your interview today. You are close to my son's age. I heard many wise and introspective statements from you, thank you for sharing with us. Please consider prioritizing rehab because waiting for housing to be lined up first, may take longer than you think. Take care of yourself and be safe.💜
I really like John and confident he will escape the life of drugs. An update on him would be good at somepoint, please Mark.
Thank you Mark for sharing this powerful voice and letting him tell his story
I agree with everything he had to say during this interview. I have a feeling he will make it out of this disease. You got this John
Mental health care is so important. It is the root of most drug and alcohol problems.
So I have dealt with opioid addiction, I was addicted to OxyContin for about ten years maybe a little more. I also smoked weed starting from the age of 12. For me I had to quit everything, it seemed like weed would always lead me right back to using and for me also weed robbed me of all ambition. I’ve been clean now for 12 years and I’ve owned my construction business for the last ten years. My rock bottom wasn’t being homeless though it was the look of disappointment in my children’s eyes and perpetually being broke that pushed me to change my life. I should say too that my addiction started from a Percocet prescription for a broken arm. You would be amazed at what you can accomplish when your not chemically dependent on a substance.
good luck to you John! i hope you find a program soon!
I feel like there is hope for him. He will get better. He will kick. He seems like he has a heart of gold
Good interview. I hope he can get the help he needs. Seems like a smart nice guy
This is my favorite interview so far
John is such a smart young man full of potential.
I have been smoking weed almost every day for over 35 years, and never felt the desire to walk through the "gateway" to hard drugs
So sad that this guy believes marijuana is a gateway drug. Many ppl find it controls significant pain that typical prescription 'drugs' do not. Enough excuses ... we need accountability for choosing destructive paths.
OMG the minute he started talking I said to myself “He’s s white but he talks like a Latino, a Chicano”. I thought he might be half white/half Hispanic. Then he revealed that he had been raised around Hispanics and his accent made sense. It’s sad he was around Hispanics who were gang affiliated and drug users because many of us Latinos aren’t. This is definite proof that the environment you put a child in is so crucial.
He said his father got deported. Genes are real too.
I love a speaker with an eloquent lexicon. John I enjoyed listening to your prospective on drugs. Very VERY spot on my friend. Take Care and get the help !!! ❤u deserve it sweetie
Hi John. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I completely agree with you at 9:02 .. when I was 15 years old, I was prescribed Vicodin when I had my wisdom tooth pulled. An entire bottle PLUS a refill. The dental surgeon sent us home with the pills and as soon as we got back, my mother flushed them down the toilet. Never touched the stuff. Can’t believe I was only in ninth grade when I was handed those kinds of drugs. This was in 2003. I so hope you were able to get sober. You have so much clarity and a tremendous understanding of the situation you’re in and of the reality around you.
You can do it John, I believe in you.🙏🏻
Yep, back then doctors/dentists were to OG drug dealers😠
I love your mom!! 🤜🫀🤛
Prayers for John to be his best self and live a straight and sober clean life. John if you read this, YOU ARE WORTH IT. 🙏🏼
Thank you! 💜
This kid is gonna make it !! One love John it gets way way better and easier
John you can beat the addiction…thanks for sharing your story. Just when I felt like giving up I got some wisdom from both John and Marc
This is John, much love! You are stronger than you know, remember God doesn’t give us anything WE can’t handle. We’re in this together!
I hope you make it John! I feel like you can do it. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞
If you dont want to be controlled, don't use hard drugs.
John, you’re very insightful. I think you can make it. Best of luck
Short but good. I hope this dude is serious cuz life takes work and compromise. I wanna see a followup in a year.
Good Morning Mark & SWU Family 💖 Good luck John 🙏🏼
Mark. Would love to hear a question in your interview for the abuser/drug addicts. Did this start because of physical pain that wasn’t controlled? Emotional pain? Or the want to have a high and floating moment? I’ve long thought of causes but you have the unique opportunity to ask. To get truthful (mostly) input from these wonderful people. Yes, wonderful because they are willing to share their hearts!
You are bright and intelligent and you’re life is precious! One step at a time! Great to hear you are taking the steps forward! Wish you the best! I know you’ll get there!
Smart young man. Keep being who you are because who you are is going to work well for you as long as you - GET. OFF. DRUGS. You’ll find a life well lived is worth living sober.
I really hope you get clean. Good luck to you sir.
John- I'm so glad that you've found a situation that works for you. You are so well spoken and smart, good luck to you in your journey. The interview was fascinating, thank you.
You can always run away, but you can never run from yourself. You went there for help. Get into treatment and the rest,( housing, job etc) will fall into place. You cannot be looking for housing before you take care of yourself. There's always an excuse until you're truly ready. I hope you take yourself to a treatment facility and realize you're worth it.
Good luck to you.
I have heard time and time again in these interviews...that the waiting list to get housing in CA is a long waiting list. Then I thought about what you've stated because Ive seen this written by other (experienced) commenters such as yourself. Third, I remember other interviewees state that after finishing rehab, they had no place to go...and ended back in Skid Row. At least John could return to his mother's house once he finishes rehab, if she is OK with that. He'd have to be willing to leave CA (not easy to leave at his age...the better weather and CA is really beautiful, it is very alluring). For many, it's an endless cycle, like a hamster wheel.
@@nhlibra I know here, in my state, there are grants and sober living housing. I have helped people with substance abuse get help. There are people to help guide you in the right direction.
@@kimalaniz8617
There is a huge housing crisis in CA. I have family members in both LA and S.D. that are architects and R.E. developers. Glad to hear you are so helpful where you live. Bless you 💜
You don’t need to worry about housing first… the rehabs are LIVE IN treatments who help you find housing afterwards.
Generally after you graduate the rehab then you live in the sober living facilities and they help you find a job, go to school, and find long term housing.
So don’t think like that… just find the rehab and go. The rest will fix itself.
Also, I’d suggest going outside of downtown LA to find a rehab… if you go to a smaller city you can usually find better live in rehabs. Like any of the cities. Riverside, Long Beach, the Valley… or whatever.
Good luck 🍀
Oh the part about weed! I know it is supposed to be beneficial in some instances, but I COMPLETELY agree that self medicating with weed is a crutch. People need to learn real coping skills for anxiety and depression. Same with alcohol. I chose to live sober for the past 8 years. It’s been really hard coping with daily life at times, but for myself- creating art, nature walking, and just being open in my struggles has been huge for me. I also started a gratitude journal where I try to write 3 things I’m grateful for every week. It helps to refocus my thoughts to more positive things.
What may work for you may not work for others. Cannabis is a plant, the most natural and relatively harmless of all abused substances. It helps people in different ways and you should try to be more open minded.
@@sublime7480 It’s not an opinion she’s speaking, it’s a fact. Weed IS a crutch, period. Obviously unless used for extreme health conditions.
I like how this make communicates addicts be smart AF 🤔
Bro ur so smart. We do recover i promise u. It takes focus n work but it's so worth being free from that hell. U can do this
ecstasy is no joke.. it can permanently fry your serotonin receptors in your brain, which makes it very hard for you to feel happy once those are gone.
Seems like John is heading in the right direction..all power to you for future
I would definitely say, that drugs do stunt emotional growth. I’ve seen it in so many people. Life is hard, learning to deal with trauma/unwanted emotional pain, is very difficult, but I’m living proof that you can do this without drugs,illegal & legal. Mental illnesses are different, & some people need intervention with prescribed drugs. I have ocd, that controls much of my life, but sheer determination, a strong mind & my faith have kept me drug free all my life, apart from a short period in my late teens, where I dabbled a little in drugs, just out of curiosity, but quickly realised, even during such a short period, that they were messing me up further, plus my conscience was acutely aware how wrong it was to take drugs, so I quit. I’ve had times in my life & still do, where I can’t cope, flashbacks, horrendous ocd, but I’m a mum, a nana, I work full time, run a home, give my time to people who need me, attend meetings at my place of worship & study the bible & study up for bible based meetings. So, for me, keeping super busy & active, keeps me sane & ticking over. Everyone’s different though & even though I had a traumatic childhood & was a child carer for my mum, & had two very abusive relationships with men, my mum loved me & that love has remained with me, always, but she died too soon, when I was young. Some don’t have that mother’s love, so I don’t judge those whose lives have gone down the drug path, cos that could have so easily been me. X
He's got a pretty good chance at finding Sober Path..he's honest about his addiction. And?
When he said bout using "softer" drugs. ? And next day ur just depressed and broke. But by noon ur better? Leads to Hard Drugs that You have to have in order function and get outta withdrawals..4 years clean ( just celebrated 2 days ago) I still smoke weed. It helped me personally.
This dude gonna be ok. I know it 🦬 Buffalo NY rooting for him
Thnx Mark too!!
🧡 wish him healing and peace
I wish mark would expand the soft white underbelly as a franchise and have interviewers in diff states would love to hear shi from NY cuz I’m in jersey or even shi in Chicago or south Florida since I grew up there
Search his channel. He's been to Florida and he's been to Jersey and he's been to New York and he's been to Philly.
Also, maybe you haven't noticed this, but very few of the people in Skid Row are from Skid Row. In fact, they're from all of those other places, he just mentioned and more. I think a lot of people from Jersey go to Philly to Kensington. I lived in Philly, all my life and God , why do people from New York ended up on Kensington Avenue
NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Memphis, New Jersey, Kentucky, West Virginia, Florida, New Mexico, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New Orleans next week.
@@SoftWhiteUnderbelly damn-can’t wait to hear more
@@SoftWhiteUnderbelly stay safe Mark- thank you for your undying kindness
Hey john. I relate to you a lot. I quit benzos and opiates and even speed. But I could never put down the weed. I put it down for about 3 years before I got pregnant and while I was breastfeeding, but then picked it right back up. I regret re-introducing it into my life again. I hope you're able to quit
P.s. been off the "hard stuff' for almost 10 years now. Feels great to not have the monkey on my shoulder honestly. But I still wish I could stop smoking pot
@@NeuroGeek85 Thank you for the support, I posted a comment and a 15 sec short with an update. I get it, relapse is so easy. But if we can honest we would much rather you use marijuana everyday than ANY type of opioid/hard drug. 💜
You people are fking eeejots! smoke weed occassionally...not constantly...
like alcohol or anything ... moderation
Yeah weed sucks. Once your hooked you can’t sleep without it
wishing you the best - i hope you make the changes
Don't give up.
He has a good heart I respect bro 🙂
11:28 what Mark said is so valuable. Well said!!
That is truly golden!
Life is the real gate way drug.
So true
This hit deep. - John
While I listen, he sees this prescription world differently than I do. (First, dental is a HUGE anxiety trigger for me) having a tooth pulled (mine were never easy, always embedded in the jaw or nerve). Pain is real. BUT the key is taking as directed AND doing the adjunct things to help: ice packs, salt water etc. I have a nature that is a total rule follower so the thought of taking one more just doesn’t cross my mind. For our youth, teenagers: do not give the medications to them. The parent should still be in charge of the meds and helping them to work through those times of harder pain. Yet, I’ve seen a mom, sigh and say “here, take another one. It will help.” That’s the slide. Or if they have their own meds in their room “I hurt so bad, going to take a second one.” Not even with the intent for getting high. Just to stop the pain.
Some people have incredibly low pain thresholds. These are another group to find alternative ways of helping. Doesn’t mean don’t prescribe a medication but also do this activity and this one. Pain is such a powerful feeling and emotion. There are a few diseases which have the informal name of “suicide syndromes”. Meaning the pain those diseases deliver to a human is almost unbearable. My heart breaks for them. With the new culture of not prescribing-they are left in so much pain. What I’m saying, don’t stop writing for a med BUT work with the family and patient to add adjunct help. Work with them to make sure the slip doesn’t happen; or if it does-how to course correct. And that doesn’t mean to shame the patient or family. It means finding something to help. And that’s the rub. That level of care and monitoring is beyond what many practices can deliver. Wishing him all the best.
ive got a feeling one day pain meds will be used for nothing other than end-of-life comfort. My intuition tells me the pain serves it's own purpose during the healing process just like inflammation.
Good Morning! to my Soft White UnderWEAR fam 👋🤪 from around the world 🌍. Peace and Love to ya’s, from 6:20am Brooklyn NY.
Good morning brother, 4:20am in the Mile high city! I'm just chilling rolling up some gateway, for the day!!! Have a great day my friend!!!
Good morning to you, sending good vibes, happiness and love at 5:29 am from Texarkana, TX!
Morning 💯
good evening from Shanghai 7:39pm. Studied in Brooklyn around 2010 and got my master degree. So glad reading your Brooklyn “good morning” . Miss the city so much ❤🌍
My brother! Eyes, I hope your days pack with a lot of good shit today!😆
Always a great way to start the morning. Thank you, Mark!
A great way to start the morning? With a film that's almost a predictable format now of a depressed person suffering with addiction telling the same old story? I'm sorry but I have been battling addiction for 20 years and although I have had things under control for the last few years, I can honestly say this NOT a great way to start the morning!! Start with some meditation or breathing exercises or watch some relaxation videos or positive thinking techniques. Or even have a nice bowl of cereal... there are many better ways of starting the morning than this!! x
@@mikemccaine4229 😐🍿
Dude - going skid row to get clean is magical thinking. Get into a free program, they are all over so cal.
You are at the sliding door life, it only goes down from here. You still look healthy and have a chance - take that ticket man - look around you thats what is awaiting if you pass by the opportunity
Best wishes
I didn’t go to Skid Row lol. Only for the interview my guy.
@@BigBBigTrees lame
Much love from Tx ❤
My ex husband lives in Rose Park Utah. And all I can say is EVERYONE has bars on their windows and there is A LOT of illegal things going on in that area. I know it doesn't compare to other states and cities problems- like huge gang violence and homelessness and all that- but for Utah it's a really scary place to go to let alone live in there. GODSPEED John. I wish you the best. ✌️🤟🖤
Exactly, it’s no where near what LA or Chicago has going on. But for a state with 3 million people it’s bad
It's bad.. but not that bad, lol. Really, it isn't. Most of Rose Park is kind of cute, that's why you always see gay guys buying there as a sort of renovation and design project.
Compared to places like Cypress, Kearns, deep West Valley, West Ogden, etc and more it's a fairly decent area. And about 3 minutes from downtown
This dude is so full of it. He, “knows how everything works.”
Great interview, thank you.
I went to the university of Utah and lived in Salt Lake City for 11 years. Gangs are no joke in that city. No joke. Lots of drugs there too.
I hope he gets the help he needs. 👍😊
You remind me of two of my nephew's...Both had so much going for them and both in their mid twenties....Today both are dead due to drugs.... Hope you get out of the life.
Rise & Sparkle - self realize - quiet within - ultimate drug
What scares me Is the thought of an entire generation of people who have grown up with a phone/laptop/tablet infront of them since the moment they were born.
An entire generation of people who have lived their whole lives on the internet/social media.
Just want to say I believe alcohol is THE gateway drug not marijuana. Not many people just start with weed… most start alcohol and then go to weed so… just a thought. People dont recognize alcohol as a drug but it is
I always say alcohol is the gateway drug! Every bad thing, every narcotic I tried I was under the influence of alcohol when I did them. Alcohol was definitely my gateway drug and the same for many friends
@@whocares4464 100% agree.
Brother if your in la try to give tarzana treatment center a try it's a really solid rehab that I've tried and they are the best
I just have to say one thing :) Marijuana is not for everyone ... HOWEVER, to many people it helps to function. Like me, I use marijuana every day. For medical purposes. I literally cannot function properly without it. It helps me stay active and it sure as hell helps me with clear thinking. :)
just sayin.
Facts everybody is different. Blessings.
Almost 4 million mark ..congrats
Profound discussion. Everything on point. Marihuna is a gateway drug and is now 47 times stronger than it was in the 60's/70's/80's. I wish John that he gets a place in rehab soon. Anyone who started using drugs as early as he did has a rocky road ahead of them. All the best to John. ✌
Would love to see a source on this "47 times stronger" claim. Because it sounds like horse shit lol
As a drug addict myself going on 30 years, using and dealing, I can tell you the ONLY reason Marijuana is a gateway drug is BECAUSE it’s illegal. People who just wanna smoke pot have to come to is street guys who have everything. Getting friendly with drug dealers gets you that much closer and comfortable with other drugs. I see these people, they get friendly with the other users too. They’ll smoke blunts together and start getting rides from each other til the one or two people in that crowd that only smoke pot start coming back by themselves for other sh**. If you was to switch pot and alcohol and make alcohol illegal it would be the same for drinkers. Had most of these pot smokers not had to enter the drug world for their sh** they’d be fine. People like to say “Oh! If you make pot legal children can just buy it in a corner store?” NO! The corner store is where I bought this morning heroin…. and that’s because it’s illegal. You can’t go and buy insulin in a corner store, can you? That’s because it’s regulated. You can’t even buy liquor or beer in a corner stores in a lot of counties. Also the fact that marijuana is stronger, idk about 47 times stronger, but stronger none the less… is good. It means you don’t have to smoke all that extra plant material to feel it. It’s easier on the lungs when all you need is one or two puffs and not a hundred tryna smoke whole blunts to get there.
Saying “marihuna” is a gateway drug is one of those DARE era old fashioned propaganda points that has no scientific basis, lol. Obviously for people who are genetically, environmentally predisposed to substance misuse, weed is likely to be consumed at an early point in their use. However, the concept that something in the chemical makeup of weed eventually leads its users to trying harder drugs, is BS! It’d be like saying, chocolate milk is a gateway drug, because when I was a kid I would get an influx of dopamine while drinking a cup, and now that I’m in my 20s, and let loose with the occasional beer, OMG I’ve stepped up the proverbial gateway of dangerous substances. This isn’t to say one can’t abuse cannabis, or that for some, the high simply won’t suffice anymore. However, I boldly reject the idea that there’s anything chemically unique to cannabis that causes its users to seek out other harder drugs.
@@ikolivelongafter I agree with what you wrote, but I don’t think what you’re saying is the reason that marijuana is considered a gateway drug
It’s not due to anything specifically about weed, it’s the fact that it is the safest drug, easiest to access, readily available, and doesn’t have a huge stigma to it. Which causes it to be the first step, so to speak. The first step in being a drug user. It’s the first drug that most people will try, and likely the first drug that every hard drug user had used. Versus a person who won’t smoke weed; therefore it won’t be a gateway to suing other drugs. But for some, it is the gateway that leads to harder drugs. Basically if you’re willing to try weed, that may lead you to try other drugs as well. Opposed to doing no drugs at all
Now again , I agree with you and don’t agree with the propaganda. Because the same reasoning should apply to alcohol. It’s a drug as well. But because it has traditionally been legal, it’s not considered in the same way that marijuana was. Now that weed is becoming legalized most places though, maybe this mindset will change over time
@@ikolivelongafter et al
Yawn...from the joint to the needle is no longer a fairy tale. While more and more young people are now consuming cannabis, science is now coming to completely different conclusions: Swedish researchers showed in a publication in the specialist journal Neuropsychopharmacology that the active substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is contained in cannabis, makes the brain more susceptible to opiates - and that this has consequences for the developing brains of teenagers. Maria Ellgren and her colleagues from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm conclude this from experiments on rats.
According to a UN report, hemp drugs are the cause of around 30 percent of drug therapies in the European Union (EU), according to the annual report of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, published on Monday (June 27, 2022). In Africa and some Latin American countries, most such therapies are related to cannabis addiction.
The increasing potency of hash and marijuana on the market, combined with regular use, has led to a rise in addiction and mental illness in Western Europe, according to UNODC. In North America, as a result of the legalization of cannabis, consumption is also increasing - especially among young adults. A growing proportion of psychiatric disorders and suicides there are linked to regular cannabis use, the report said. Hospital stays are also increasing. The UNODC acknowledged that the legal sale of these drugs has increased tax revenues and reduced arrests for cannabis possession.
In the US CARDIA study: A connection was found between long-term and regular cannabis use and poorer memory performance. The study showed that the so-called long-term potheads have poorer cognitive performance. However, those who smoke weed regularly also do less sport, are more frequently depressed, more often addicted to alcohol, nicotine and other drugs - the German ÄrzteZeitung concedes, which tends to have more effect on poorer cognitive performance.
An American research team led by neuropsychologist Randy Schuster from Massachusetts General Hospital found out in a study that the consumption of cannabis has a particularly negative effect on young people under the age of 16: considerable difficulties were found in the under-16s when it came to new ones to learn information. Bright spot: The researchers found that memory performance can improve again after a long period of abstinence, etc. etc.
Study “Cannabis: potential and risks (CaPris) 2000 studies (!!!) were evaluated here: according to this, people who consume cannabis are more likely to receive bipolar disorder as an initial diagnosis. The studies show the factors by which anxiety disorders, the risk of suicide increase and much more.
I smoke Marijuana at a young age. It was the easiest thing to say no to when I wised up. I wish cigarettes was that easy. I'm still smoking cigs now. I never escalated to harder drugs, because I still had a mind to think for myself. Weed is the only drug I've ever done, which I quit back in 2006.
Thank god and blessings. Hang in there bro.
I agree with a lot this dude has said, especially Marijuana. It's so unfortunate that it's being sold as a wonder drug in society today
Oh bullshit! I've had a tooth pulled and I did need those pain killers. I never abused them.
This person is smart & beautiful. God Bless You, John. I wish you so much hope, I have faith in you🤍
Greta interview. Everything but the pot subject. It’s all subjective to the user . I can take a massive dab to eat clean for the day , crush my goals , do homework and clean things up , get a 2 hour workout in , all while taking dabs all day long . So don’t demonize pot on any scale . It’s all about the user ..
I love marijuana, but dabbing is so heavy, it’s more of a drug than just smoking weed or eating an edible. Some of that wax had me on my ass all day and I don’t see how ppl can smoke wax every day like it’s a bowl of weed. Lol y’all are crazy man! But I’m not against it. Marijuana is the best, always will be, but wax is on another level.
Nice I played in the Babe Ruth Regional in Rose Park when I was 12 in Rose Park in 92. Where the movie Sandlot was filmed
I’m glad you know that!
Pot is not why he’s using heroin! He’s using heroin/fentanyl because he made the choice to! Stop blaming pot for your problems!!
My stance on weed is that if you're in a good place in general it won't steer you towards worse things, but if you're using it in a bad state of mind or purely to numb out I can definitely see it being a gateway.
Mark, it would be really interesting to hear what kind of help individuals with bipolar disorder get in the US. I am bipolar type 1, the worst kind. But I am from Sweden and we get almost free medical help. Will this guy be able to get off the drugs if he doesn't get the right help and medications for his bipolar disorder? I think that's what he needs first of all. Thanks for a really great channel.
America needs to do more for mental health ❤️🩹 I'm 65 with PTSD. I self medicated with marijuana til I was 50. In the 80's President Reagan closed down a lot of mental health hospitals. Why because of money 💰 Thank you John & Mark for this insiteful interview ✨❤️🩹🇺🇸
There is no help here. Everything costs money and when you don’t have it, you don’t get the help you need.
The gateway is parents or guardians tell there kid's that ALL drug are bad, so when a kid uses MJ or "party drugs" those people tell them all drugs are the same, All bad. Then the child that was lied to, tries MJ or something less harmful they realize they have been being lied to, so then they think all the hard drugs are not as dangerous... Alcohol is much more of a gateway, but that can be said about anything ( girls School parties) if you want your children to not go down that road,, take care of them and stop F'n lying to them!!!!!!!
Yes Gram! Great point. The other reason it’s a gateway drug is only because it is illegal. People who just wanna smoke pot have to go to drug dealers for it. Drug dealers have other drugs. Getting friendly with drug dealers only gets you closer and more comfortable with and around other drugs. If you switched pot with alcohol and made alcohol illegal it would be the same for drinkers. They’d have to go to drug houses to get their bottle.
@@myeyeswentdeaf6213 100%!!!
@My eyes Went deaf! @Gram #7 yes, these points are so downplayed! i can’t say this enough: legalized weed reduces opioid deaths in that area!! making something illegal and stigmatizing it just forces people into the shadows-and there’s a lot of other dark shit that you can find in there!!
I am so glad you said weed is a gateway drug ....it is completely that it was a starter for so many of my addict patients ...
Never tried anything other than weed or wanted too. I believe it's a personal choice blessings.
You got this !
I hope you follow through with this plan, look into suboxone treatment
There seems to be pattern with these people saying “ well my childhood wasn’t that bad “
… and clearly it was a problem
I don’t understand why folks don’t seek out methadone or suboxone/subutec to stay away from that
He must not have liked him or felt like he wasn’t interesting cuz I was liking John’s story but then Mark cut him off and ended it when it felt like John had a lot more to say 🤷🏻♂️
Never a shortage of addicts to Interview 😪
Never a shortage of over eaters to interview, gambling addicts, porn addicts, Cleptomaniacs to interview etc etc etc it's not just drug addicts that there's an abundance of!!! I take offense to your comment!!!! Mark chooses to interview with more, for his personal reasons!!!!
@@lynnbarker8124 "I take offence to your comment" ... that has to be the most depressing thing about these videos.. they all have cr-babies in the comment section being offended or arguing that their point of view is better than somebody else's. So tedious
@@lynnbarker8124 as per usual, my comments been taken out of context 😳 my point was to show how many addicts there are, not a dig 😬
@@lynnbarker8124
Hey, you're right...but jeez, calm down, lol..
I'm sure the original poster knows that. Maybe YOU, took THEIR comment out of context? Ya think?
And I say this as nicely as possible to you. The question here is, Are you humble enough to see what I'm saying?
@@wesleyAlan9179 thank you 😁😂😬
Pot saved my life.. ☕️
What about the people wha hasnt deen addicted with heroin cocaine alcohol fentanyl etc etc and smoking pot for 20 years long being with the family have no loans no addictions working like slaves in order to eat and survive with dignity ? Wish you all the best !!! DREAM BIG AND SOBER !!!!
Have you seen a set of lungs from chronic weed smokers? Ribs cracked open for heart/lung surgery? I have, several times.
You can get clean friends ❤ you deserve better than what your allowing.
Mark, I need an update on Patrick and Rebecca ! Positive vibes to all those still struggling
Bruh out here bangin
I use humour as a coping skill. As macabre as it may be!
I believe in him!!
How does a person use fentanly? I don't know about these things.
seems 99% of users smoke it
They think they are getting heroin. Its mixed in with it for cost value.