Day 7

Day 7: James Patrick

Age: 22

Major: Economics

Hometown: Houston

Connection to me: Printmaking

Me: Did you go to Texas A&M?

James: Yes.

Me: Which is better?

James: Actually HCC's professors are of higher caliber, I think its because of the smaller classes.

Me: Why did you switch to HCC?

James: I came home for rehab.

Me: Drugs?

James: Drugs and alcohol.

Me: Are you in rehab now?

James: I still participate but I'm done so I'll be back at A&M in the Spring and graduate in 2013.

Me: What drugs did you do?

James: Aderol

Me: Isnt that...

James: an ADD medication, yes.

Me: Do you have ADD?

James: Yes, it was prescribed to me but I abused it. I would take 30 mg a day and stay up for 3-4 days, then I'd sleep for 2 days because I was also prescribed ambient which is a sleep medication.

Me: How long were you addicted for?

James: I was prescribed in high school but it got really bad Freshman-Junior year, so 2 and a half years.

Me: Did you come back on your own?

James: Yeah, I didn't even know I had a problem until I totaled my 3rd car, then I came home.

Me: How did you your parents take it?

James: Now it's a lot better....I mean either I would die or go to rehab.

Me: Thank G-d you're here.

James: Right? I'm thankful to be alive and have a second chance and that I didn't mess things up beyond repair. 

Me: Is there any message you'd like to give to others who are in a similar situation?

James: Get help before it gets worse. If you know somethings bad, don't wait until its really bad.