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elleng

(135,637 posts)
Sat Aug 17, 2024, 09:07 PM Aug 17

I Knew What My Enablers Were Doing. It's Murkier With Matthew Perry.

by Patti Davis

'Deep into my love affair with cocaine, I sat in the living room of a neighbor’s house with several other people, waiting for the mirror with the coveted white lines on it to come my way. It’s why we were all there — to buy coke and get high during the transaction. The woman sitting nearest to me yelped in pain as she snorted the lines through a white plastic straw. She explained that she’d burned a hole through her septum from doing coke. Then she shrugged and said something about having to get it repaired at some point.

There was a moment, as the mirror came to me and I bent over it, seeing my reflection beside the lines I so desperately wanted, when I saw clearly the cost of this addiction. But that brief moment was swallowed by the desire that propelled me, her and everyone else in that room. I watched as our host — our dealer — escorted her to the door, handed her the small zip-lock bag containing the love of her life, and took a wad of cash in exchange. I’m quite sure he never had a moment of hesitation or guilt.

The recent charges made in connection with the death of Matthew Perry sent these memories hurling back at me. It’s no surprise to encounter the callousness, the greed of dealers who know with expert precision how to prey on addicts. But in Mr. Perry’s case, we’ve seen a murkier area — a messy middle ground where people apparently start out thinking they’re helping but end up enabling and eventually hurting. Two doctors and Mr. Perry’s personal assistant have been charged, in addition to two other people. Maybe I’m being generous, but I’m assuming that the doctors, at least at one time, respected the pledge to “do no harm.” Yet it was one of the doctors who sent the text that read, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” Matthew Perry ended up paying $55,000 for roughly 20 vials of ketamine. I have no idea what the market price for ketamine is, but $55,000 seems a bit steep. . . .

People who tell themselves they are helping often come to express remorse. Maybe the five people who have been charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death will, too. Having known too much of that dark world, I for one won’t believe them.'

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/17/opinion/matthew-perry-death-arrests.html

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I Knew What My Enablers Were Doing. It's Murkier With Matthew Perry. (Original Post) elleng Aug 17 OP
Back in the 70's I had easy access to coke, LSD and pot. OAITW r.2.0 Aug 17 #1
same experience... bahboo Aug 17 #3
Natural progression of life, I think. OAITW r.2.0 Aug 17 #4
I've had an on/off relationship with cannabis for about 40 years... democratsruletheday Aug 17 #5
Did my first gummies a few weeks ago. My BF from 55+ years ago came up for the weekend. He does gummies, I smoke pot. OAITW r.2.0 Aug 17 #6
Very sad nt spooky3 Aug 17 #2
Never did too much, just chipped away at it. multigraincracker Aug 18 #7

OAITW r.2.0

(28,135 posts)
1. Back in the 70's I had easy access to coke, LSD and pot.
Sat Aug 17, 2024, 09:15 PM
Aug 17

Coke I consumed when offered...never was motivated to start a habit. Kinda made my nose go numb. that was it. LSD, oh boy, there's a real experience/sacrament right there. Pot has been my friend for 50+ years.

bahboo

(16,926 posts)
3. same experience...
Sat Aug 17, 2024, 09:21 PM
Aug 17

I felt coke brought out any asshole tendencies I might be harboring...and being a young male, I had a few. Just didn't like it that much. Although, I could drink a helluva lot more. Acid and shrooms were indeed a sacrament. And pot I enjoy mostly responsibly, to this day.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,135 posts)
4. Natural progression of life, I think.
Sat Aug 17, 2024, 09:25 PM
Aug 17

A little wine and reefer make a great end of the day experience on the deck.

I do have a few frozen mushrooms that I am thinking about consuming...while I still have a firm grip on my present reality.

democratsruletheday

(1,139 posts)
5. I've had an on/off relationship with cannabis for about 40 years...
Sat Aug 17, 2024, 09:54 PM
Aug 17

and I"m on again right now. I don't like to smoke anymore because my Mom is going through horrible heart issues from smoking for 60 years so I've sworn it off. But I found an 'edible' I'd like to recommend. I live in Michigan and a dispensary called 'Lume' sells a hash rosin edible that's an Indica strain. 10 gummies that are 20 mg each and it only costs $18. I cut each piece into quarters so I'm only taking 5mg and I mean you better buckle in folks. Best buzz I've ever had and I've tried everything from Coke to Acid to Opium. Best part is they are 'solventless' meaning they're chemical free whereas lots of other cannabis and has gummies are not chemical free, they're made with a solvent. Here they are:

https://www.lume.com/product/edibles/mango-hash-rosin-gummies-10x20mg?variant_sku=PG-GUM-200MG-V-60

OAITW r.2.0

(28,135 posts)
6. Did my first gummies a few weeks ago. My BF from 55+ years ago came up for the weekend. He does gummies, I smoke pot.
Sat Aug 17, 2024, 10:01 PM
Aug 17

I guess we get to the same place. Anyways he left me his stash of gummies. Consumed 2 to mow the front lawn. No apparent joy.

multigraincracker

(33,913 posts)
7. Never did too much, just chipped away at it.
Sun Aug 18, 2024, 01:40 AM
Aug 18

Later I learned I was self medicating my ADHD. Never touched it again after learning that.

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