Such Is Life

[Dogwatcher]

Yeah, coz I want to be on the run from drug cartels for the rest of my life and set up residence in Burma.

Your uncle's in Burma isn't he?

[Dogwatcher]

It will be interesting to see how much this has really effected Ben's relationship with his family.
You may forgive an addict the things they've done but as much as you try, you never forgive them.

[Sturtman]

He made the doco to show the affect of drugs and if it saves 1 persons life then its worth it...

what about the 1.5mill het got for it!?
Maybe that should be donated to help preventing drugs in society..

He spent about $150,000 of his money to make the doco and sold it to channel 7 for between $400K and $500k. I thought the doco was a great insight into his battle but the average person with a drug addiction doesnt have the same advantages as Ben eg: fly to America for rehab, doesnt have to try to hold down a job to keep paying bills, mortgage etc, and many more

[OnSong]

Yeah, coz I want to be on the run from drug cartels for the rest of my life and set up residence in Burma.

Your uncle's in Burma isn't he?

Yeah, he's got a bed set up in the jungle for Ben when he dobs in the dealers over coming days.

[Psyber]

Why does the doctor perscribe him sleeping pills? It is not as though he is taking them without the club doctor knowing. Damned if he does, Cant sleep if he doesnt
Who cares if he has some 'rogue's charm' about him, the improtant thing is that he is clean and that he continues to be clean and send the right message to the community about drug addiction.
As he said recently on TV, Drug addiction is what Mental Health was 15 years ago. Everyone knows its there but nothing/no one wants to do anything about it. Mental Health now gets plenty of public awareness and its services/funding is being increased. Drug addiction is still along way down the pecking order. Simply getting a few dogs to sniff pockets and get a slap on the wrist does nothing.

You can easily become addicted to prescribed medication and some medicos can be only too willing to hand them out.
It would be interesting to see how many professional sports people leave their sport with an addiction to the medication that keeps them on the field.
A recovering addict would, or should, be very wary about taking on something which might start them back down the slippery slope of addiction.
I never said there was a problem with having rogue's charm. I noted that it was a personality trait he shares with other people of notoriety.

It is true that legal prescribed medications can be addictive, and I suspect Codeine, and its synthetic relatives, in common analgesics prescribed or bought over the counter, or even in supermarkets, form the most commonly used addictive substance group in Australia. After that we have to consider the addictive stimulant caffeine, and Guarana [which contains a lot of caffeine], in soft drinks and "energy drinks".
And then there is alcohol...

This legal group are not a problem used at low levels, but by the time the Codeine or synthetic narcotic containing analgesic is at the potency level of say Panadeine Forte, or the caffeine is at the level of "energy drinks", creeping addiction is almost inevitable. Similarly becoming addicted to alcohol is related to dose, and frequency of use.
It is true that some people are more susceptible genetically, and become addicted more easily.

The illegal drugs get the publicity and emphasis though, mainly because they are illegal and thus generate the sensation the media are habituated to psychologically.
However, most of them are made illegal because they are potentially more rapidly addictive, or more damaging to the body.
[Like "Ecstasy" where a single dose could cause your brain to be poached like an egg if you are sensitive or unlucky.]

LSD was experimented with as an aid to Psychotherapy in the 1970s, as were Psilocybin, and some more obscure hallucinogenics.
They were not really of much benefit and went out of fashion fast - only a few cranks who used them themselves went on advocating them.

Dexamphetamine and Methamphetamine were available over the counter in Pharmacies in the 1960s in Australia, before their high capacity to cause addiction, and paranoia and hallucinations was recognised.
Cocaine and Opium were an over the counter products in Pharmacies in late 19th century Britain.

Some people get addicted to substances accidentally, and others knowingly choose to take the risk for what they see as enjoyment.
Most of those who find themselves accidentally addicted, as I once did to a synthetic narcotic analgesic after a bout of severe pain, undertake a quick withdrawal and get off the stuff permanently.
Some who have been addicted for some time are more reluctant to give up the drug they have come to like and which makes them feel good.
Those who have actively chased the thrill or oblivion offered by the illegal drug group are more inclined to make excuses to not give up, or to deny being addicted, or to pretend to have given up while still using the "goods" covertly - the prognosis there is not good.
Self-delusion is a factor. I remember once explaining the way Ecstasy worked on the brain and how it can cause high body temperature and subsequent brain damage to a young woman who then looked at me sceptically and said, "But my dealer says it is absolutely harmless!"

That's is why, based on my experience of overseeing an addiction programme many years ago, I am sceptical of long-term maintenance programmes.
I think those who really want to give it up can do so, with support, over 6 to 12 months and that beyond that you are just playing a game that goes around in circles with those who really don't want to quit and keep making excuses.
[My own experience of giving up a narcotic was that I went on a 7 day programme of reducing the dose every few days, and lived with the aches and pains that were part of a severe "flu-like" syndrome - aching, tiredness, depressed mood, nausea, and a fairly strong urge to have "just a taste" - for the 10 to12 days it took to subside.]

[OnSong]

I'm sure it's informative, but I can not be effed reading all that. Summarise anyone?

[Psyber]

I'm sure it's informative, but I can not be effed reading all that. Summarise anyone?

That's the summary mate, the full story would be several books.
I though breaking it up into short paragraphs might help.

[White Line Fever]

I'm sure it's informative, but I can not be effed reading all that. Summarise anyone?

Yeah. Don't do drugs.

[Q.]

I find it interesting how Cousins never developed a physical addiction. Yes, he went on binges when his spare time allowed him to yet he never developed the classic physical dependence associated with those drugs - was able to be at 'work' without using and could go weeks without using.

He was labelled a drug addict early on. I wonder if he really believes that was or is the case.

The duality of his life in those years is interesting. Without football to binge on, perhaps his other state of mind will disappear with it.

[Psyber]

I find it interesting how Cousins never developed a physical addiction. Yes, he went on binges when his spare time allowed him to yet he never developed the classic physical dependence associated with those drugs - was able to be at 'work' without using and could go weeks without using.
He was labelled a drug addict early on. I wonder if he really believes that was or is the case.
The duality of his life in those years is interesting. Without football to binge on, perhaps his other state of mind will disappear with it.

The going out at 3am and leaving his pyjama clad father at a bus stop in the cold sounds like a man driven by physical addiction to me, Quichey.
Perhaps he just managed to mask it with other stimulants when he had them available, but couldn't hide it if he were out of them too?

[The Dark Knight]

I must say I enjoyed the insight to Ben Cousins life we saw through this documentary. The things he did were and the things he put his family through were shocking and horrific.

The way Ben trained throughout his time was the thing that amazed me the most. He trained so hard and to the point of exhaustion until his body could take no more. The way he would run his butt off for a period of time, stop, throw up and then keep running as hard as he could was amazing.

Drugs were then he reward, his release from all the pressure he put himself was under.

IMO the doco was a insight to how drugs destroy lives for the person who's doing them and the effects it has on the people around them such as their families and friends. It didn't promote and glorify drug use IMO.

[A Mum]

Just my observation... which may very well be wrong or right - who knows... but...

For someone whose whole life from age 5 or whatever wanted nothing more than to make the AFL - visioned it, breathed it, consumed his whole life to get to that goal - then to make it - become a drug addict - and then lose it all....

I don't think we saw the 'true' impact of the consequence of losing 'the dream' - I don't think the documentary 'reported' this.

Afterwards his father said that Ben was close to suicide at one point - but (unless I missed it) I don't think the documentary said/showed that.

I think with an 'inevitable' young teen audience watching - although adults can put two and two together and realise the consequence - would have been good (for want of better word) to actually lay out 'this is the consequence' and what the drug addiction cost me.

If any of that makes sense...lol.

[Footy Smart]

IMO the doco was a insight to how drugs destroy lives for the person who's doing them and the effects it has on the people around them such as their families and friends. It didn't promote and glorify drug use IMO

Couldnt have said it any better

[Footy Smart]

Just my observation... which may very well be wrong or right - who knows... but...

For someone whose whole life from age 5 or whatever wanted nothing more than to make the AFL - visioned it, breathed it, consumed his whole life to get to that goal - then to make it - become a drug addict - and then lose it all....

I don't think we saw the 'true' impact of the consequence of losing 'the dream' - I don't think the documentary 'reported' this.

Afterwards his father said that Ben was close to suicide at one point - but (unless I missed it) I don't think the documentary said/showed that.

I think with an 'inevitable' young teen audience watching - although adults can put two and two together and realise the consequence - would have been good (for want of better word) to actually lay out 'this is the consequence' and what the drug addiction cost me.

If any of that makes sense...lol.

A Mum, they touched on his depression when he Collingwood, St Kilda and Brisbane all declined to pick him up. He said for a whole week he didnt get out of bed, he had no will to even go to the fridge and get food or drink. He reasiled he had lost his passion.... AFL, the thing you highlighted above as being the most important thing to him.

Also wanting something really bad, then getting it and the feeling/associated issues that come with it arent always what you thought they would be.

As a youngster could he imagine the amount of publicity and pressure he would be under? IMO no. In WA he was 10x as popular Tony Modra was in SA.

[Booney]

I must say I enjoyed the insight to Ben Cousins life we saw through this documentary. The things he did were and the things he put his family through were shocking and horrific.

The way Ben trained throughout his time was the thing that amazed me the most. He trained so hard and to the point of exhaustion until his body could take no more. The way he would run his butt off for a period of time, stop, throw up and then keep running as hard as he could was amazing.

Drugs were then he reward, his release from all the pressure he put himself was under.

IMO the doco was a insight to how drugs destroy lives for the person who's doing them and the effects it has on the people around them such as their families and friends. It didn't promote and glorify drug use IMO.

You think Cousins' life has been destroyed? Seriously. Cousins is fit, healthy, successful, financially sound with many family and friends still by his side supporting him. Destroyed? I think not. As far from destroyed as you can get.

As far as being an addict goes, he made decisions on when and what he was going to take and knew when he would next be able to get away with it, not the actions of a drug addict in my view.

His story, albeit interesting for the average footy fan does nothing to educate the youth of this land on what drugs could do to you IMO.

[Footy Smart]

You think Cousins' life has been destroyed? Seriously. Cousins is fit, healthy, successful, financially sound with many family and friends still by his side supporting him. Destroyed? I think not. As far from destroyed as you can get.

Cousins lost a year and a half of AFL football, had injuries that could be associated with being out of the game, his name was dragged through the mud, he lost his best mate Chris Mainwhering(sp), he put his family through hell, he ended up in a hospital alone on the otherside of the world. His life will now be scrutinised 10 fold that of any other ex AFL player just waiting for him to relapse and or do something wrong.

As far as being an addict goes, he made decisions on when and what he was going to take and knew when he would next be able to get away with it, not the actions of a drug addict in my view.

He was an addict because the only way he felt he could reward himself was with drugs, not a car, a house but drugs as a drug addict can only get satisfaction when the stimulant tells them.

His story, albeit interesting for the average footy fan does nothing to educate the youth of this land on what drugs could do to you IMO

His story shows that when you feel your bullet proof on drugs and you feel nothing can go wrong, it will bitch slap you in time and you can loose everything. It also highlighted the issues of drug addiction and im sure that Drug info/helplines receieved many more calls as a result of the documentary.

[Q.]

You think Cousins' life has been destroyed? Seriously. Cousins is fit, healthy, successful, financially sound with many family and friends still by his side supporting him. Destroyed? I think not. As far from destroyed as you can get.

Cousins lost a year and a half of AFL football, had injuries that could be associated with being out of the game, his name was dragged through the mud, he lost his best mate Chris Mainwhering(sp), he put his family through hell, he ended up in a hospital alone on the otherside of the world. His life will now be scrutinised 10 fold that of any other ex AFL player just waiting for him to relapse and or do something wrong.

Is the drink driver who crashes his car into another vehicle, kills the occupant of that vehicle, gets sent to jail and permanently impacts the lives of two families, also a drug addict?

[Dogwatcher]

A Mum, they touched on his depression when he Collingwood, St Kilda and Brisbane all declined to pick him up. He said for a whole week he didnt get out of bed, he had no will to even go to the fridge and get food or drink. He reasiled he had lost his passion.... AFL, the thing you highlighted above as being the most important thing to him.

At the time of that draft, I was told by some fairly reliable sources that he was on suicide watch at that time.
It would seem entirely probable that was the case.

[A Mum]

A Mum, they touched on his depression when he Collingwood, St Kilda and Brisbane all declined to pick him up. He said for a whole week he didnt get out of bed, he had no will to even go to the fridge and get food or drink. He reasiled he had lost his passion.... AFL, the thing you highlighted above as being the most important thing to him.

Ah yes - so he did - forgot that bit.

His story, albeit interesting for the average footy fan does nothing to educate the youth of this land on what drugs could do to you IMO.

Bingo - I think that's exactly how it left me feeling.

They promoted it as 'your kids need to watch' but having watched the whole 'series' now - I didn't find it to be something I necessarily 'needed' my son to watch in the end.

His story shows that when you feel your bullet proof on drugs and you feel nothing can go wrong, it will bitch slap you in time and you can loose everything. It also highlighted the issues of drug addiction and im sure that Drug info/helplines receieved many more calls as a result of the documentary.

Yes I've heard about all those calls etc - and yes it did - to the adults watching - but I don't think that teenagers could take the same thing away and process it as such.

Just my opinion also.

[Q.]

I find it interesting how Cousins never developed a physical addiction. Yes, he went on binges when his spare time allowed him to yet he never developed the classic physical dependence associated with those drugs - was able to be at 'work' without using and could go weeks without using.
He was labelled a drug addict early on. I wonder if he really believes that was or is the case.
The duality of his life in those years is interesting. Without football to binge on, perhaps his other state of mind will disappear with it.

The going out at 3am and leaving his pyjama clad father at a bus stop in the cold sounds like a man driven by physical addiction to me, Quichey.
Perhaps he just managed to mask it with other stimulants when he had them available, but couldn't hide it if he were out of them too?

One incident. You and I know he didn't follow the classic pattern of a drug addict. His functionality away from drugs was barely affected.