<p>I didn’t recognize the name or the face when I saw the headline but the age certainly jumped out at me. His death is proof just how very hard it is to escape addiction. Depending on the drug of choice, it can be almost impossible. It can be beyond friendship, love, money and success.</p>
<p>Not to take the focus off this tragedy, but I’m seeing this as a cautionary tale for our kids when it comes a potential romantic entanglement with anyone who has a history of addiction, notwithstanding past rehab efforts that appear to have succeeded. It’s a risky path, and while my view may seem unfair to those who have kids with addictions issues, I think such a history should be a deal breaker. The potential for misery and heartbreak is too great.</p>
<p>I have mixed feelings about that issue MommaJ. I was in a long term relationship with a heroin addict. He had an IQ off the charts, was charming, successful, kind, generous, and very good looking. Except, he was a heroin addict. When we met, he was in recovery and he stayed clean for 8 years. I didn’t know heroin was his drug of choice until we were several months into the relationship and he asked me to go to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting with him. He relapsed, after 8 years, during a rocky time in our relationship. I supported him through the initial months of the relapse until I felt he was at a safe point again, but I knew I couldn’t be in it for the long term. My D was 10 by then and I wouldn’t risk it. With heroin, there is a greater chance of overdose than recovery. The statistics are really grim. He entered rehab and, as far as I know, has been in a stable, healthy relationship for many years, but there may have been relapses that I am unaware of. There are still “what ifs” but I did the right thing.</p>
<p>Just got the CNN update - heroin/alcohol mix.</p>
<p>[Cory</a> Monteith Died of Mixture of Heroin and Alcohol: Coroner - Glee, Cory Monteith, Tributes : People.com](<a href=“http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20717425_20717941,00.html]Cory”>Cory Monteith Autopsy: Died of Mixture of Heroin and Alcohol)</p>
<p>Meth is equally pernicious and evil. I’m dealing with my nephew who can’t seem to break the habit and it’s jeopardizing our relationship. He’s like a different person when he’s high – tweaking and distant, staying up all day and night, leaving the house at all hours of the night. … very sad.</p>
<p>How the heck did Robert Downey Jr. do it? There was a period of time when he was a visible wreck yet somehow he pulled himself back from the edge. I have nothing but respect for his effort and hope that his sobriety continues.</p>
<p>Robert Downey Jr. is one in a million and he was lucky. When my ex was arrested, long before we were together, the judge gave him the choice of in-patient rehab or prison. He chose prison because he knew it would be much easier to get drugs in prison and he knew he wasn’t ready to get clean.</p>
<p>Addiction really, really sucks. There’s a pretty strong history of it in my family, and I have a 60 year old uncle who’s pretty much destroyed his life and damaged our family and flat out will not admit to himself that he has a problem. What makes me really sad with Cory is that he seems to have been trying to do everything he could. He’s talked about his history, been to rehab very recently, lived drug free for years, but the temptation is just such a hard struggle and in the end his best efforts weren’t enough. I think heroin and alcohol are supposed to be two of the hardest drugs to overcome.</p>
<p>I liked the twitter messages and some nice longer statements have come out from a few of the cast members who were not his peer group and best friends – Mike O’Malley, Jane Lynch, Romy Rosemont. I think it’s sweet to read the outpouring of support. What’s driving me crazy is the sensationalism. The rumor about Lea and Cory being engaged is spreading like wildfire so people can use the line about how she went from planning a wedding to a funeral and there was a photo of an army wife throwing herself on a coffin going around that people were saying was Lea (it was of her back and from that angle, she and Lea bear a strong resemblance to each other).</p>
<p>I truly feel for him. He was one of the best characters on the show to be honest. I just want glee to have an episode where they reflect on his best moments, and tastefully write him out the series. Flynn and Rachel Berry really make the show special</p>
<p>I am currently in Las Vegas for a financial aid conference. It was 4 years ago today that my brother died - in Las Vegas - from an overdose of painkillers. Addiction is a terrible, terrible thing. My brother first became addicted to alcohol at 14, then progressed to cocaine. In his late 20’s, he went to rehab and cleaned up his act. In his late 30’s/early 40’s, he was in a car accident and his shoulder was messed up. He was put on painkillers … and the cycle began again. He was able to function for years, but the addiction got the best of him. He went to rehab, then took a stint with my mom, who was going through some dementia-related problems. After leaving her, he went into rehab again. A few days later, he OD’d. We call it “accidentally on purpose.” I can tell you for a fact that he did NOT want to be addicted … he did NOT want to use … but he simply could not tame his beast. My heart goes out to Cory Monteith’s family, because I understand all too well what they are going through.</p>
<p>It is being reported this morning (CNN.com) that he died from a mix of alcohol and heroin.</p>
<p>Regarding Robert Downey Jr: Tom Sizemore was just on Dr. Drew’s podcast and spoke about RDJ and his sobriety (they have been friends for many years). Tom is doing extremely well (sober for almost or slightly more than two years IIRC) and he said that RDJ advised him to hire a live in sober coach which Tom says made a world of difference. He said that RDJ told him that whenever he feels like he wants to relapse he remembers what it was like to lose it all and knows that it can happen in a second. Tom also says that RDJ’s current wife is a huge support in his staying sober. Both men are people I thought would never come out of the depths of addiction but (knock on wood) they seem to have “gotten it” this time. </p>
<p>You may want to check out the podcast at Dr. Drew.com. Also, Tom has written a book with Anna David. I have yet to read it but reviews are pretty good.</p>
<p>kelsmom, I’m so sorry about your brother.</p>
<p>While there are lots of things about the AA/NA model I don’t like, I think the family support meetings can be invaluable. I attended nar-anon meetings that I found very helpful, but the hardest part of the meetings was listening to family members trying desperately to help a situation that was largely out of their control. </p>
<p>Tom Sizemore is in the infancy of his recovery. I hope he pulls it off but the chances of him doing so are still not good.</p>
<p>In light of learning that Cory’s drug of choice was heroin, it seems completely ridiculous that he was in a rehab facility for a mere month (which struck me as inadequate at the time) and than was off traveling on his own to his old haunts. I’m guessing he did the rehab to placate Lea and his family, with no intention of making it work. It sounds awful to say, but I think Lea dodged a bullet here.</p>
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<p>Not sure how she dodged it. Seems like it hit her square on.</p>
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<p>Wow, I didn’t even know of their existence.</p>
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Had he lived and they continued their relationship and married, she could have been dealing with a relapsing spouse, continuing heartbreak, probably divorce. Now she will grieve and hopefully in time move on to a relationship with a healthy man (assuming it’s not part of her personality to want to rescue someone). I think she’s better off.</p>
<p>A live-in sobriety coach was a featured character on Nashville last season. He worked with the mom of the country ingenue.</p>
<p>On the TV show Elementary, Sherlock Holmes’ father hired Joan Watson as his son’s sobriety coach. She moved in with him so she’s there 24/7. His drug of choice is heroin, also.</p>
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<p>So he wasn’t supposed to travel? I’m not sure what your point is with that comment. Is there some prohibition about travel once someone leaves rehab?</p>