Had I known I'd feel this good, I'd have quite doing drugs four years ago - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brad Russ · 06-27-2011, 03:26 AM

I know some of you are aware of the fact that Iv'e had a problem with drugs for 5 or 6 years now. Mainly my addictions were speed, oxycodone, vicodin, xanax, and alcohol. Good news is I haven't done any drugs for about a month, and have been off alcohol for four or five months. The days of me staying up all night finishing off a huge thing of vodka with my mom's boyfriend Carl are long gone. These last three weeks or so have been the best Iv'e had in years, with the exception of one day. I'm happy, My mind is clear, and God is changing me, and making me feel so much more love for people. I still make mistakes, made a huge one last night. I know many of you know what I'm referring to. But I apologized to all my facebook friends for stooping to a couple people's level, and for spewing out such hate. I don't want to have hate in my heart. Anyway, If anyone out there is struggling with any kind of addiction, whether it be drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, porn, all of which Iv'e had addictions to, and if you're struggling with these, or any other addictions, just say a true prayer to God, and your life will change. Hang in there, and never give up, and if any of you ever need someone to talk to, just PM me, and I can give you my number. Be strong my friends. God Bless you all.

Penny Lane · 06-27-2011, 12:04 PM

That's wonderful! I quit smoking 20 years ago and that was rough! So I can just imagine how hard this might have been for you! Continued success and happiness forever!

Janice · 06-27-2011, 10:50 PM

That's great Brad. You'll feel better, day after day. That stuff is just poison for your body. It's also easy to make a mistake, take too much and drink too much one night, and it's curtains, light's out. As troubled as they were, I'm sure that Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole, and for the life of me, I can't remember the more recent overdoses; anyway, these poor souls didn't want to die. It happened to both of my sisters. They just made mistakes one night. I think people get high and/or drunk, forget how much they took, so they take more, then they pass out and it's all over.

Yooch · 06-27-2011, 11:00 PM

Brad, you are awesome.

Family Ties Forever! · 06-27-2011, 11:39 PM

That's great that you haven't had alcohol in months and that you haven't had drugs in a month. Hopefully you will continue to stay clean and sober.

Nighthawk76 · 06-28-2011, 02:56 AM

That's great, Brad! I've had my problems with alcohol as well and I know where your're coming from. The stuff just takes over your life.

Crimson and Clover · 06-28-2011, 03:00 AM

That is great Brad!!

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

That's wonderful! I quit smoking 20 years ago and that was rough! So I can just imagine how hard this might have been for you! Continued success and happiness forever!

Thank you so much Penny Lane. You just put a big old grin on my face with your kind words.

So glad to see you back here at S.O. where you belong!!

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood Rock Chic

Brad, first I am very proud of you; all I can say is, to take ONE DAY AT A TIME! I confess I have an Addictive Personality. But I slowly, but surely, got rid of a lot of my vices. One of them was smoking. I am proud to say, that I have been a non-smoker for almost 18 months now. Just have a clear mind set, and focus of becoming healthy and avoidance of certain things that you were addicted to. Anyway, I will be praying for you

Thanks so much Tara.

I'm so glad to hear that you've been able to stay off tobacco for that long. I know nicotine is one of the toughest things to give up, and unfortunately my mom is paying the price for her addiction now, since finding out that she has emphasema a few months back (Which her dad, my grandfather) died from 10 years ago. My brother also smokes, and I've begged him to stop. I know he has the strength in him to give it up. He's had a pretty tough life. I remember a couple years ago on MySpace (back when it was relavent) when you mentioned that you were going to try and quit smoking. I prayed for you, and rooted for you, and I know many others were doing the same thing. I knew you had it in you, and am very proud of you as well.

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yooch

Brad, you are awesome.

Thanks so much Yooch! You know what? You're pretty damn cool yourself.

It's so great to see you back on S.O. I know many have missed you. I just returned to S.O. about two weeks ago myself, after being away for nearly two years. It's great to be back, as well as it is to have great people like you making this such an enjoyable place to be. God Bless You my friend!

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

That's great Brad. You'll feel better, day after day. That stuff is just poison for your body. It's also easy to make a mistake, take too much and drink too much one night, and it's curtains, light's out. As troubled as they were, I'm sure that Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole, and for the life of me, I can't remember the more recent overdoses; anyway, these poor souls didn't want to die. It happened to both of my sisters. They just made mistakes one night. I think people get high and/or drunk, forget how much they took, so they take more, then they pass out and it's all over.

A couple of the more recent celebrity deaths due to drugs are Jeff Conaway from Grease, and Taxi, as well as another former celebrity rehab alumn, Mike Starr from the Seattle band, Alice In Chains. Most people aren't even aware of Mike's death, because it was overshadowed by Tim Conaway's. Kind of like how Mother Teresa's death was ignored by most of the media since she died the same day as Princess Diana. Personally, Mike Starr's death impacted me the most. Iv'e enjoyed Alice In Chains for years, and it's just such a senseless tragedy. I know Iv'e told you before, but I want to say again how sorry I am about what happened to your sister.

From the way you've talked about her, it's pretty obvious that she was a pretty special person. Honestly I can't even begin to imagine what you've gone through. I get sick even thinking about something like that happening to my brother. I know though that your sister, as well as your parents would be very proud of you for the giving, and amazing person you are!

Yooch · 06-28-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Russ

Thanks so much Yooch! You know what? You're pretty damn cool yourself.

It's so great to see you back on S.O. I know many have missed you. I just returned to S.O. about two weeks ago myself, after being away for nearly two years. It's great to be back, as well as it is to have great people like you making this such an enjoyable place to be. God Bless You my friend!

Thanks for the very kind words, Brad. It is good to see you too, man!

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

That's great that you haven't had alcohol in months and that you haven't had drugs in a month. Hopefully you will continue to stay clean and sober.

Thanks Jen!

I truly hope that I can avoid the temptation that made me fail in my sobriety before. It's tough, it's so tough, one of the toughest things Iv'e ever had to deal with, but I just have to always remember how great Iv'e felt in this last month with all that crap out of my system. Hopefully that will be enough motivation to keep me away from that poison. That two hour high, is definitely not worth the next 22 hours of shame, embarrassment, and hopelessness I feel.

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shine

That's great, Brad! I've had my problems with alcohol as well and I know where your're coming from. The stuff just takes over your life.

Hey, thanks my friend.

I'm so sorry to hear that you've had a problem with addiction as well. You seem to be doing really good now, so congratulations on staying away from that crap. And you're right, it does take over your life. It becomes more important than family, friends, and worse of all, God. The crap made me lose my Faith. But fortunately my Faith is beginning to come back a little more with each passing day.

Brad Russ · 06-28-2011, 09:30 PM

Toby Mac, Get Back Up

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson and Clover

That is great Brad!!

Thanks so much Crimson and Clover!

I actually believe in my heart that something good will come of all these years of pain, and sadness. I now have a story to tell, and hopefully I'll be able to share my story with others, especially kids. I'm sure that all I will have to do to get some of them to stear clear of drugs, is to show them a picture what I looked like pre drugs, compared to what I look like after 5 years of wreckless, and careless behavior. I can't even look in the mirror these days because I'm so incredibly disgusted with my physical appearance. That's why I deleted my recent pictures where I was holding Cyndal over at Facebook. Hopefully with me quitting drugs, my looks will come back. Here's a song I want to play for you Crimson and Clover, as well as everyone else who have posted in this thread. This song has been inspiring my for over a year now. Hope you all enjoy it!

TobyMac: Get Back Up

06-27-2011, 03:26 AM	#1
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Had I known I'd feel this good, I'd have quite doing drugs four years ago I know some of you are aware of the fact that Iv'e had a problem with drugs for 5 or 6 years now. Mainly my addictions were speed, oxycodone, vicodin, xanax, and alcohol. Good news is I haven't done any drugs for about a month, and have been off alcohol for four or five months. The days of me staying up all night finishing off a huge thing of vodka with my mom's boyfriend Carl are long gone. These last three weeks or so have been the best Iv'e had in years, with the exception of one day. I'm happy, My mind is clear, and God is changing me, and making me feel so much more love for people. I still make mistakes, made a huge one last night. I know many of you know what I'm referring to. But I apologized to all my facebook friends for stooping to a couple people's level, and for spewing out such hate. I don't want to have hate in my heart. Anyway, If anyone out there is struggling with any kind of addiction, whether it be drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, porn, all of which Iv'e had addictions to, and if you're struggling with these, or any other addictions, just say a true prayer to God, and your life will change. Hang in there, and never give up, and if any of you ever need someone to talk to, just PM me, and I can give you my number. Be strong my friends. God Bless you all.
	Last edited by Brad Russ; 06-27-2011 at 09:40 AM.

06-27-2011, 12:04 PM	#2
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,289	That's wonderful! I quit smoking 20 years ago and that was rough! So I can just imagine how hard this might have been for you! Continued success and happiness forever!
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

06-27-2011, 11:00 PM	#4
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	Brad, you are awesome.
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

06-27-2011, 11:39 PM	#5
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	That's great that you haven't had alcohol in months and that you haven't had drugs in a month. Hopefully you will continue to stay clean and sober.
	__________________ Jenny

06-28-2011, 03:00 AM	#7
Crimson and Clover Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 09, 2002 Location: NC Posts: 17,345	That is great Brad!!
	__________________ Friend me: http://www.facebook.com/MaryLynnCall My Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/MotherMary You'll never find a sweeter combination As peace and love - Mishka

06-27-2011, 10:50 PM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	That's great Brad. You'll feel better, day after day. That stuff is just poison for your body. It's also easy to make a mistake, take too much and drink too much one night, and it's curtains, light's out. As troubled as they were, I'm sure that Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole, and for the life of me, I can't remember the more recent overdoses; anyway, these poor souls didn't want to die. It happened to both of my sisters. They just made mistakes one night. I think people get high and/or drunk, forget how much they took, so they take more, then they pass out and it's all over.

06-28-2011, 02:56 AM	#6
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	That's great, Brad! I've had my problems with alcohol as well and I know where your're coming from. The stuff just takes over your life.