Watching the spiral..

[Mr.Dave]

I moved here from Calgary two years ago for many reasons. To go to school, because I love BC, but also to get away from a lot of things that were really not good for me to be around. I left a lot of friends and "good times", and sometimes feel bad for not maintaining contact, even though they are the exact same people now that I left back then.

From time to time I get stories of what the crew is up to back in Calgary and although there is the occasional story of someone turning things around, it is usually followed shortly after by them falling further than they were before. The people that I started smoking pot and doing other substances with on an occasional basis are now either doing coke or crack on a constant basis or selling and doing it. I'm almost positive that in the next few months at least one of them will be dead.

I know that worrying about them does no good whatsoever and quite honestly, when I moved on two years ago I accepted the fact that I would no longer be associated with them in any way. But there is one, who I have remained in semi-regular contact with who is different. We were extremely close, and seem to always just pick up wherever we left off. We know each other inside and out. He is extremely intelligent, went to post-secondary, got a good job, and it seemed, managed to get his life on track. He always had issues with coke, but I thought he had them under control. Turns out that couldn't be farther from the truth. One of our good friends back there now sells coke and crack, and is sending him straight to the gutter. I am the only one that he can really talk to, and I feel completely powerless to help him. We always have good talks, bring issues to the surface and all that, but they seem to be forgotten as soon as the conversation ends. He is now at the point where he does rails by himself, hallucinates when he's on it, and constantly thinks people are after him. He tried to go to rehab, but got scared and turned around when he was halfway there. He quit his job so he couldn't pay even if he went, so his only option is to tell his dad, which scares the shit out of him.
And I'm out here. There's basically nothing real that I can do to help him. All I can do is watch him go further and further into the pit. It's driving me insane.

Sorry for the length. Just needed to get it out.

[cinist]

I understand completely. All you can do is hope for the best, its tough to help people out of certain situations. All you can do is be a good friend and listen.
It's rough worrying about someone who you can't see helping themselves, while at the same time not knowing yourself how to help them.
I have many friends that i left behind in an old life style. my best friend included. I realize that all I can do is be his friend and let him know that i disaproove of his selling/consuming. There's really nothing you can do, you made decisions for yourself which have you headed in the right direction. Sometimes we have to accept that those closest to us may not be on the same track as ourselves yet and that they may never reach that point.

[agent.starling]

at least you didnt move to toronto and become corrupted! i find that when people move to toronto they go crazy. like a seriously terrible depression issue type of a deal. my advice is, life can only get worse if you move to the t dot.

-la.

[Goat]

Dave.

Until he is really ready to clean up, sad to say, there's not a thing in the world you or anyone can say to change his mind. Those first steps are the scariest in the world, it's good to see he recognizes it as an issue. Having Been in those shoes though, just letting him know you're 'there' for him can be the biggest comfort, even if you can't be physically. It hurts being alone, he's hurt, confused, and you are too.
It sucks to see people you care about hurt themselves, you're a good guy Dave, your buddae will pull through.
Don't give up the faith.

Best of luck to you and anonymous in Calgary.

-Max