@@robertclarkguitar It took me 4.5yrs total to taper out of a methadone clinic. It's possible. I believe in you, whether you choose to come off or not. 🖤
I’m an Appalachian girl in recovery and I know the road is hard. Addiction is hard. Sobriety is hard. But only one of those gets easier with time. You are so important Daniel. Never forget that. 💜
Daniel, I grew up across the state line from you in Southwest Virginia. My mom passed away from an overdose in 2012. But I want to tell you that no one is more proud of you than a child who has lost a parent to addiction. God has you here for a reason. All you’ve been through and you’re still here. He has a plan for your life! Don’t ever give up!
Big ol’ sweetheart. Hope he finds peace and learns to let go of his guilt however difficult it may be to do so. 20 years is a lot. To endure that and come out the other side of it alive and with his soul intact, is a testament to his character. Rooting for him🖤
Man is carrying a lot of remorse& guilt it's all part of the arena the drug addict lives in I became a heroin addict@ 54 after 3 neck surgeries & after 10 years sobriety talk about guilt & shame what this gentleman discribes is the story of addiction in America One very very important thing he didn't mention is the importance of faith I never NEVER could have made it without what little faith I may possess I hope & pray he finds some peace but I believe that true recovery is faith based one of the reasons so many are lost is because they try to push pills instead of the truth& the truth will ALWAYS set you free🙏🙏
28 months clean now. Died three times. Lost all my kids my wife. Typical addict story. Got involved with some "organized business" down in Fall River Mass for a couple years. Allegedly. Last 28 months have been.. a little difficult. I'm thankful to be alive. By all rights I shouldn't be. I'm not where I want to be but I'm certainly not where I was. Anybody that's struggling with it.. the best advice that I can give you is just don't give up, because if you want it bad enough you need to do this. And remember.. nobody's coming to fucking save you. You need to save yourself. 🙏
@@DAVIDTORRESANI no that wasn't me and I'm very thankful for that. I live in the middle of new hampshire. And thank you I do appreciate that. One day at a time.
"One day at a time". Yes sir! We are all just trying to learn how to play this game called life. I wish you good health of mind and body. Don't forget to think well of yourself at times. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story. Happiness and peace to you my brother. Have a good day this Thursday.
3 years clean, ten years dirty, one and a half of those(the end) was fentanyl. You've got to fight, but it gets easier. You've got to be your best friend, and love yourself. For me, it was the day I decided to stop running from my pain, I somehow managed to survive the tidal wave alone, but I can't recommend it. Remember the misery, remember the loss, remember all those people who walked out of your life because you were such a mess. Life is better when you stop wasting your potential, when you can have healthy relationships.
I went the other way. When I was doing wrong was when I loved myself.....therefore my situation only got worse, I was never at fault, but a victim to my surroundings. I had to wipe that mindset and learn to hate myself, hate what I had become, hate what I did, hate where it got me, hate how much time I lost, how much time it's going to take to turn it around. Once I hated what I became, I also noticed my excuses evaporated and I'm left looking at myself in the mirror asking how to get out. Looking outside for answers to fix MY problems, when the very organ that could stop it stopped looking out......it then looked in. My answer was inside my brain the entire time I just ignored it. Was my own worst enemy. It was me, it wasnt those around me, it was just me.
@@Brads-strung-out That's interesting friend, I've never heard that side of the same coin before. It's all too easy for me to rant when it comes to this subject. Thank you for the healthy reminder, just because we suffer from the same symptoms doesn't mean the underlying issue is the same. I hope you are finding your way in life, that your future is comfortable, full of (healthy) excitement and adventure, joy and love. I hope you realize your potential, it's never too late for any of us. The more we talk, the less this is stigmatized, I hope.
@@Mark-gn5rw Thank you for sharing this connection with me, I wish for you nothing but progress and prosperity. We are connected through our struggle and united in our desire to help others help themselves, there's so much more to life. Peace and love 🌊 always moving forward 🙏
It's scary how fentanyl took an already dangerous addiction and somehow made it a terminal illness. Lost too many friends in the past five years because of that stuff.
I'm from Central Kentucky, Where an (un)healthy opiate addiction started. I moved to Florida a decade ago (not a good choice for that addiction). I've struggled with the same. Thank goodness I'm clean now, And have a good support structure, Like Daniel. I hope he keeps it together.
I agree! A lot of people are drawn to Florida for recovery and find a larger drug culture, as well. I had a similar experience. It’s awesome that you focused in, and have been able to recovery, regardless!
Daniel- Your ability to be transparent and humble is INSPIRING, and shows a lot about your character. You are exactly right, LOVE wins! ❤️ Keep fighting and winning!
Daniel reminds me of my late brother Greg. He only lasted 3 years in addiction after 2 knee surgeries that led to a heroin addiction. God bless those that recover. Daniel is so blessed to have made it 20 years. This not only breaks my heart, it makes me so happy to see that he won the battle. My brothers headstone reads....The battle is over, you're with me know, rest. -God. Bless all of the addicts who want to be better.
I'm sorry about your brother I hope things are going well now I lost my father last Friday due to heart complications....I have myself have been enrolled in a methadone program for years now and although I'm not using street drugs the methadone itself is hard as hell to get off of.
@@expendable.1 congratulations on your recovery.❤️I'm sorry for your loss. I am well.... He passed in 2014, Halloween. Be proud & as hard as the methadone may be... It's better than what's out on the streets these days. Be strong & stay clean, please❤️. Take care
Doctors are to blame for a lot of this. Some lawyers too. My nephew is going on 6 years of "pain management" aided by a Lawyer and many doctors because the Lawyer was looking for a big settlement. My nephew was in an accident and sustained a couple of broken bones hardly worthy of the pain meds he was given and then surgeries to "stop the pain" that then caused more pain. Now he is addicted with lots of money. The lawyer got his fee and all the doctors get their fees so who cares what becomes of my nephew? Not them.
i can’t help but see my mother sitting up there talking. she fell back in 2001 and broke her back and has almost the same exact story! she was in active addiction for 20 years and is now celebrating 4 years sober in august!! such an inspiration of a story and i love to see recovery happen
When folks like this guy show up here I wish I could reach through the screen give them a big old hug and say how heroic they are for just surviving. Loved this one.
@@danielw2120 I'm so glad you can see all the love being sent your way. I'm so glad you were able to share your story. It was very brave of you. I'm 9 years sober but the only day that matters is today. We ain't using today Daniel W. Keep on keeping on friend. 🥰
Man I so empathize with his tears, there’s no way to explain the despair that comes from addiction and the gratitude and love you feel for your family after coming out of that hell. It’s heart wrenching really. Thank God he made it out this far, keep it up man. I’m fighting right along side you. What a beautiful soul with a huge loving heart!
@@danielw2120 sure thing! encouraging each other is underrated these days its refreshing to see the positivity and uplifting words from fellow peeps in these subcultures working on themselves and especially from those looking in thanks to Mark. It's a cool thing making big waves and far reaching ripples. like magic! Hope all is well within you or getting there 🙏🕊💎🦉🌌🧘♀️🎶🌟
Daniel, your goodness shines through. You were spot on when you said it was your moral compass that saved you from the worst possibilities of addiction. I know your words will be a light for many, many people. Thank you and may your generosity in sharing your story be rewarded.
The sickness is like gravity has increased 10x, your cold but sweating, hot but have goose bumps, tired but can't sleep, awake but can't focus, yellow bile diarrhea, stomach cramps, leg cramps, headaches, and a constant voice in your head telling you to get some to make it go away, and that's day 2.
Always remember you can't die from opiate withdrawal. You can die from alcohol or benzo withdrawal. Ironically, you can overdose from opiate, you cannot overdose on benzos. Opiate withdrawal is the most painful Alcohol withdrawal is the most dangerous Tobacco withdrawal is the hardest
The creeping up of it when you’ve been dry and can feel it coming is the scariest feeling I’ve ever experienced. 3 years off of the trash and I just had the flu last week (who gets the flu in may) but it was the first time in maybe 15-20 years I’ve actually been to the doctors and tested positive for the flu and it brought back some very bad feelings of withdrawing. I’ll take the flu over withdrawing every and any day but the description “flu like symptoms“ is pretty accurate-for the first 8 hours of withdrawal at least.
Mark, there is something so special about your videos in this region. As you've spoken about before, their humble nature is palpable. Your acceptance into their world speaks volume of your character as well. Only love.
What an absolute sweet soul. The courage it must have taken to overcome his addiction is truly inspiring. Sending you so much respect and encouragement to keep living the sober life. Best wishes to you, kind sir🙏❤️
Daniel, the honesty, strength and bravery you've shown here by telling your story is so touching and will help a lot of people, including yourself. I wish you continued health, happiness and healing.
Man, sending love, respect, and props to you Daniel. Extremely inspiring hearing another man open up about this with such transparency. Thankyou for your strength, from me and many others Dan❤️
Daniel reminds me so much of the men in my rural southern West Virginia. So many of my Appalachian brothers are gone from this world. He climbed up out of a 20 year pit…an abyss, truly…with his heart and soul and humanity restored. I hope he can let go some of that guilt, although that guilt is probably much of what keeps him from ever going back. Sending love and peace to you, Daniel…from your Appalachian sister. Thanks for telling the story of our people so well. ❤️
I'm from a small town in eastern KY. (Estill county) and I'm a recovering opiate user and I go to a clinic to help me stay clean. What I consider clean. I lost my brother,2sisters,my sister in law who was my best friend,all in 2 yrs time. Lost my big Sissy and my best friend 6 days a part. I was an addict since age 15. I was put on xanax at 13 because of abuse. I'm now 53 and I have so much regret and guilt that I can hardly sleep most nights. We gotta love addicts through the darkness. I loved you story honey,good luck to all y'all struggling I hope you make it to happiness again. If our tears could talk I wonder what they'd say.
I am sorry for those that you have lost, and that didn't make it out the other side. I am glad you found the kind of help that works for you, and you are able to move forward. Many people don't realize what happened in this part of the country it was minimized so much because of the number of Dr's and the huge amounts of $ behind everything. It will eventually be forgotten about, and only the ones that were in it will see just how bad the fall-out is from it. Meth has replaced so much of it now, but it's a direct result of what happened here with Opiates. Keep up the good work. I truly hope things get better for you..
Proud of you Daniel all the way from down here in Argentina. Who knew he'd be a big hippie? "I learned how important love is, what it can do, and how strong it can be. I think we need a lot more of it in the world." 😍
You're doing awesome Daniel. Our story is almost identical. I got out with suboxone too. Saved my life. I'm now 6yrs clean 8yrs in recovery. Took me 2yrs to stop relapsing. You're an inspiration
Daniel- you don’t worry about anything! You are so worthy and everyone can see your heart. I’ve been on pain management for five years after 3 foot surgeries. Love you so much!!!
I was waiting for his last answer…with baited breathe…..say “Love”….and there it was……💗damn. Thanks for starting my day Mark and Daniel…..absolute poetry
Thankyou for sharing your Story . I'm proud of You. There is hope for recovery and ppl need to hear it. I've been clean for 25 yrs. It does get easier. Praying for you Brother. Keep on Keepin' on . ❤
Daniel, I too was addicted from my late teens up until I was 33. I tried everything and nothing worked. I too met someone who cared about me and got me onto brupenorphine. I've never gotten high again. I've got a job now and am financially secure. Thriving, in fact. Im still on the meds and I look at it like any other treatment that lasts as long as we are alive. Like diabetes, hiv etc. I now lead a relatively normal life and I couldn't have done it without the meds. I hope you make it all the way my man. I know the mental side is still going to be a challenge - mood swings, depression etc. But anything is better than that life of addiction. All the best!!
@@jessicaperkins5490 not at all. I went into a facility for 7 days and they gave me the meds from the 1st night itself. No withdrawals as such - of course that depends on your normal intake of the drug of choice and the dose of meds you are administered. I was on heroin, pills etc. I was administered 20 mg of brupenorphine a day and though sleeping was a bit of a hassle at first, I got through it easily. I don't know how they do it in your country. It works. As long as you are determined not to return to drugs. The meds take care of the physical aspect- no withdrawals etc. All that's left is for the person to actually stay clean after.
What an awesome guy,he knows where he's been and where he's at and he totally owns it. No Bullshit just straight up facts. Excellent interview. Wish him all the best.
He's right, I'm in recovery and thanks to my daughter and my mother I also have good people around me, and without them I wouldn't be here!dan please stop beating yourself up, it doesn't help and your not that person anymore. So here's to all the good people that help and don't judge, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!
Daniel, you are an inspiration and you have such insight into the human psyche. Your story moved me. I so agree about 'tough love' being ineffective. Unconditional Love, compassion and forgiveness are key.
You have no earthly idea how important and the significant of sharing your story is on other people.. Your story may be the very thing that someone needs to hear to turn there own life around! Great Job, and please stay with it!!
@@danielw2120 Your certainly welcome brother, I truly believe that you and your story are so very truthfully and honestly told, that it may very well be the very thing that someone needs to hear in their own struggle. So many people can relate to your story, however for reasons we all know, they can or choose to never speak out or ask for help, well my friend you just spoke out for a lot of people, and became the voice for more people than you can probably never imagine! God bless you my friend, and please continue to grow closer and closer to God and allow Jesus to guide you in your walk!
As a recovering alcoholic/addict, I can relate to the guilt, shame, and remorse. I hope 🤞 some of that goes away- as long as we help someone every day we will begin to see how our story has a purpose. God bless you and hold you in the palm of this hand. Thanks for the honesty and openness.
I text awhile back about seeing these kind of videos of recovery, n giving hope to those who are in the struggle so glad your doing these as a former addict you need to see both sides thank you mike
Daniel thankyou for sharing. We are the same. I have been waiting to share this with someone who is struggling with the past of opiates. Starting now Daniel let yesterday go. There is no life in yesterday, there is life only in today. The tools of the enemy are guilt, shame & condemnation. You have a new day...now live & just believe you are whole and that the past has been put in the past and today you are a bran new baby boy! BELIEVE THE TRUTH & LIVE! DANIEL YOU ARE MADE FOR SO MUCH MORE THAN YOUR PAST! YOUVE BEEN FORGIVEN! YOU ARE LOVED & YOU HAVE HOPE! 😊😊😊
Thank you very much for the support and very helpful comment. I am working daily to get to a better place mentally and physically. Comments like this have made this entire process worth it, and I genuinely appreciate it..
I’m also a recovering opiate addict- was addicted for 15 years, sober for 3.5. What a total sweetheart. Definitely a stand-up guy. Daniel, come up to Canada and marry me! 😍Kidding (sort of...) The only people who truly understand an addict are other addicts. It gets lonely.
Bless his heart! My oldest brother is his age and has delt with the same addiction as this man. He's prayerfully on the mend and recovering. This really opened up my mind to what they deal with that I never understood. May never fully understand, but always in my prayers. I hope & pray Daniel gets victory over his addiction and guilt (as well as my brother). ❤️🙏🏻 Great video, Mark!
Thank you for sharing the truth of chronic pain and addiction sufferers. I think Mark and a lot of his viewers agree with you…compassion and love is the answer!
What a strong, inspiring man. No use living with guilt and regret. Just as he said one bad decision can lead to a lifetime of darkness, one positive move forward can save your whole life. Glad he is surrounded by support and forgiveness and love. Daniel, you are a blessing.
Daniel, you should be so proud of yourself! Imagine all those suffering from addiction found your story inspiration to get clean. Your a f*cking soldier in my eyes!
Daniel yours is A wonderful inspirational life story. Prayers to you and your precious family 🙏 🙏 prayers special man. Wishing you well from Vancouver Canada 🇨🇦
Daniel you are so smart and so good. I’m so glad you are still around and that you have loved ones to care for. We are all rooting for you. Good job on four years, here’s to many, many more. 💙
Recovering drug addict from Eastern KY myself. I relate to your story 100%. I had to move away and I finally have made a life for myself. I hope you find what you're looking for.
Incredible interview. I love Recovery stories!! Stay on Path. You can tell he's clean. We gain weight..better than weight of addiction. .. Godspeed man. He speaks well.. Thnx
Good for him, it's always nice to hear about someone who managed to suppress their addiction. If only everyone could have the same opportunities and self-control... Let's hope he'll keep clean despite his pain
Dan, brother, if you see this, I just want to say your not alone. We're the same age, same graduation year, same substances, pain doctors, the whole 9 yards. I would be willing to bet we dip the same chew, im proud of you brother your story is in many ears right now. Thanks for telling your story.
@@danielw2120 yeah same here on the dip! You know one of the things that has given me peace is doing the research on the amount of money Purdue Pharmaceutical spent on advertising (pain medication with 1% addiction rate lol) people like you and me were targeted. Don't get me wrong, I did a ton of damage in my almost 20 years of using, but at 21 years old I would have never known what was in store. I actually sent my momma your interview with the caption, "see if this sounds familiar"! The saddest part is we were the lucky ones most of my ol buddies are long past. We even live fairly close (I'm in Dayton) and btw Grizzly wintergreen. Thanks again for sharing!
God bless your family. So happy you survived and and walking this earth. You are a testimony of love and continuating the hard work. You are a wonderful soul.
This channel is groundbreaking in my personal opinion. Everyone should hear these stories of personal and societal struggle and we as a society have to find a way to do better. There has to be hope. Children do grow up, and we owe ourselves a better future.
I just watched this video and I find Daniel to be a true inspiration! You sir can help a lot of people with your story! I wish you the best of luck in your future.
Bless you, Daniel. I am also a recovering opiate dependent person (I choose not to resonate with the label addict) and deeply felt so much of what you said. While I can understand the mourning of lost years, it's wonderful that you appreciate your loved ones and recognize your blessings. Those relationships that surround us are so crucial to our healing. My parents and my baby sister passed away (mom died from Lupus and obviously took pain pills for it while both my dad and sis overdosed on opiates). Losing my parents by the age of 23 was not easy but once I lost my baby sister, I really spiraled out of control. Getting off the shit probably wouldn't have happened without my husband there to love and support me. He had gotten off the opiates first and then endured some serious bullshit from me as I tried to hide obvious opiate use by adding crack in order to hide my pinned pupils. Needless to say, it didn't work. I will forever appreciate his presence and patience with me during those times and understand just how important his role was in my recovery. I'm so happy you have had loved ones to be by your side during your trials! You are amazing and deserve to allow yourself to be loved by the man you see in the mirror. It's never too late to make a better decision today and create a more fulfilling tomorrow. Thank your past, which allowed you to learn humility and strength, and then let go of the self loathing and move forward. You can't change what was yesterday, so no need to dwell on it today. Sending so much love and support your way!! 🤍
@@danielw2120 I love to hear your story and a story of someone who has stayed clean.I was in active addiction for almost forty years.I mean homeless for fifteen years bottom of the barrel.everyone had given up on me doctors told me it was a miracle I was still alive.my last year of using I od had a heart attack was committed to the psyche ward seven times in full blown psychosis and suicidal.the doctors said anyone who had shot dope and drank alcohol as long and as much as me there was little to no hope.long story short I have been clean and sober for two years. I have seen a lot of Marks interviews yours is so far my favorite.maybe someday we may meet as we trudge the road to happy destiny.may God bless and keep you until then.
Daniel, so very tired, 20-years of dragging around a ball and chain. Raised in the church, I was taught that what we can't handle we can always hand up to The One, just release, let it go. Not tossing a Bible into the mix, no conversion message come down the pipe. My little story, stripped of those 'loving details', includes a debilitating anger that did nothing but derail my life for many years. Then I just got tired of the anger and, late one night and certainly without the niceties of Dear Heavenly Father and such, I handed my anger up, woke up the following morning, and the anger was gone. Sure, I get miffed and sad but none of that terrible, gut burning anger. And maybe this is a consideration for Daniel, this handing up of the tired heart. It's time, Daniel. It's time. And once again, thank you for this.
Daniel, thank you for sharing your life struggles. I’m happy that you have loved ones who care about you. You are a deep person and a good soul. We support you on your journey toward a better life. God bless you
This man knows he fortunate to have a good support system! Much respect to you sir!! Keep thriving for better buddy!!! I've got 3 years sober from pain pills myself!! Congrats on your sobriety! It's a good feeling! Live life to its fullest for you and your family!!!! Much love brother!!
Over 10 years on opiates, spending 1500 a week on oxy and about to lose it all, wife, kids, house, job and I finally got help and went on suboxone, that was 3 years ago. We just moved into a brand new house in a new state, free state, 3200 square foot and we own it, have 2 new cars, lost 80lbs, went on TRT, repaired my marriage, work from home and make almost 80 grand a year and life is good. If you would talk to me 3 years ago and ask where I would be in 2022, I would have said dead. Edit:spelling
Sharing your story- everything you learned thru your journey- will help so many..whether it’s people like me who listen to understand the path to addiction and learn to have compassion for addicts, not judgement..to people who struggle and see how you got thru it..so glad you have people in your life that loved you thru it all. You are inspiring to many, my friend. Thank you for sharing. You have a good soul.
The true sign of integrity is to do the right thing when no one is looking..That is the good feeling that this man is experiencing when he does those "little things" for people. Self-respect and self-worth. God bless him, he is a good man. I wish him the very best in his recovery and his future.
There are a lot of people on this channel I feel for. But this guy is among those I feel for the most. I think he deserves better. There's a real, honest goodness in him.
Thanks for reminding me to try and give back Daniel its such an important part of recovery. Im here with you fighting the good fight. Almost all my friends have passed away from addiction. I know things will keep getting better as long as we keep trying.
Thank you Daniel. You've helped me understand myself in a few ways that's I've never taken into account until I watched you today. It's amazing how you can tell your story and you can help others just by being articulate and knowing the right words to say for a particular person. I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY!! THANK YOU!! GODSPEED TO YOU AND YOURS!!! 💛💛💛💛💛🤟✌️
@@danielw2120 well, you are very welcome! Your video has stayed with me and resonated in so many different ways. I have struggled with addiction since I was 16 and now being clean after a lot of years- I struggle to find myself still. I just appreciate the thoughtfulness in which you speak and the way you communicated really struck a chord In my brain. All my love and well wishes to you and your family. You did a really good thing putting your story out there. So thank you so much! Godspeed. 💛🧡👏👏👏👏👏
@@jaimelovemac88 Your very welcome I will admit it ended up being more difficult than I imagined but I am extremely glad I decided to do it. Comments like yours have meant so much for me and it proves how many truly good people there are out there even these days..
My heart goes out to this guy. He’s got such a kind soul, who fell on some difficult times. I suffer from chronic pain. I am on opioids, they help me cope. I’m lucky that I don’t have the side effects. When the pain gets worse the dose has to come down and then work your way back up to a therapeutic dose. This is easier said then done. Good luck man and keep up on way back to a livable life!😊❤️
