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Created: Thursday, 02-Mar-2006 13:30:09 GMT
Kay, Leic
My sister uses heroin and has done for about 3-4 yrs now. It wasn't very well televised how the addiction really affects others and that the way the person communicates with their family and friends. It showed them being happy and friendly with their families
Created: Thursday, 02-Mar-2006 07:57:20 GMT
Gina, Northampton
I'm not on any drug and never have been and I think that those that are and seek help are so brave it must be so hard to change a habit. I used to smoke and gave up 2 years ago and that was hard so I can't begin to imagine what it is like.
Created: Wednesday, 01-Mar-2006 11:30:26 GMT
Jon, Birmingham
Everyone does realise that it's the taxes of the people they've already robbed from, that's funding their maintenance drugs and their rehabs, don't they?
Created: Wednesday, 01-Mar-2006 08:31:13 GMT
Margaret Coyne, Dublin, Ireland
I totally agree with the people who suggest you should give an update on the website of how Darren, Alison and Amanda are coping with life without drugs. Not all of us might catch the TV update. Continued best wishes to all three especially Amanda who I now hope is reunited with her family.
Created: Tuesday, 28-Feb-2006 17:14:57 GMT
Michael, Manchester
I've been a heroin addict for 6 years and have now quit but still have to take methadone. The detox's I've done really were cold turkey and I wasn't given any drugs at all to aid with withdrawal. I feel the patients in "Cold Turkey", relatively speaking, had it pretty easy. I didn't sleep for 5 weeks last time and it was impossible to keep my legs still or to stop them hurting all that time. The programme didn't show just how bad it really does get for most addicts.
Created: Tuesday, 28-Feb-2006 12:06:51
David ,Inverkiething, Fife
I felt that your programme put across a lot of the hardship that drug users have to face if they go cold turkey. I myself have been on a methadone for well over ten years and have tried time and time again to get clean. These days I find it harder as more people are users from when I started and younger. I would be more than happy to go to a clinic to get clean, but trying to get funding is the impossible task in the area that I live in.
Created: Monday 27 Feb-2006 20:19:58 GMT
Dawn, Lincoln
It is so easy to think of drug addicts as scum. I’m not going to lie, I used to be of the same opinion until it happened in my family. My brother is an addict and so was my sister. My sister died in a pub toilet 6 months after her fourth visit to the clinic in Harrogate. No doubt there are some people who think she deserved what she got, let me tell you she did not. I had to identify her the next day, Christmas Eve. She was 23 and looked so young and as though she was asleep. She was a mixed up teenager when she started down this devastating road. A 14yr old who thought she knew so much but who actually knew very little. My own daughter is soon to be 14 and I would like to say to all those people who think all addicts are scum that if she ended up on drugs even after all she has seen, she would no way be scum. She would be a silly naive mixed up teenager, just like so many others!
Created: Monday, 27-Feb-2006 17:57:27 GMT
Tom, London
A great idea to show the harsh realities of heroin dependency and the difficulty of going cold turkey. Unfortunately the "live" concept felt like Chris Morris was going to pop up at any moment offering cake, and could it be possible to get anyone as insincere as Krishnan Guru-Murthy?
Created: Monday, 27-Feb-2006 17:37:28 GMT
Haley, Eastbourne
I just wanted to say how much the programme touched me and how much admiration and hope I have for all three patients. Especially for Darren who helped me to see that Heroin users are not how I had previously judged them to be but real people with hearts, hopes and dreams, just like me! Thank you and best wishes to each of you. You should be so proud of yourselves!
Created: Monday, 27-Feb-2006 08:17:11 GMT
Mark, Bristol
I think channel 4 have missed a real opportunity to try and address the topics raised by addiction in the UK? It is disgusting that there is little or no aftercare on offer to the addicts that took part in 'cold turkey' a name that in itself was misleading as 'cold turkey' is gone thru without medication.
Created: Monday, 27-Feb-2006 13:58:42 GMT
Stuart , Inverness
I am a recovering heroin addict, I have been clean 18 months and am in the best physical and mental health of my life. I’m pleased about your programmes as it needs to be brought more out into the public domain to increase awareness and understanding of these issues which affect us all in our society in some way or other. People can recover from heroin addiction and with more understanding and awareness this can only help the matter.
Created: Monday, 27-Feb-2006 13:21:49 GMT
Jen , Dublin
Hi, I am in recovery for 4 years and was disappointed that there was no mention of 12 step program, I have tried so many times until I did detox than treatment centre, I am now on a 12 step program after attending aftercare for 2 years , I go to about 2 meeting a week, for the 1st 2 years tried to go to about 4/5 . Your meetings are a huge part of your recovery I would feel it’s not possible to stay clean without them the stinking thinking comes back, behaviours don’t change and all of these things lead to relapse. I have had a wonderful journey so far, of course you have your bad days but you get through them, getting clean and staying clean has been the best thing I’ve ever done. For once in my life I can say I am really happy. If you work, it works!!
Created: Monday, 27-Feb-2006 10:04:57 GMT
Natalie, Glasgow
This programme has really affected me even although I have never used Heroin. I would love to know how all three of the guys get on and wish them all the luck in the world. Having a brother that has dabbled with drugs I think the programme was absolutely superb and very worthwhile. If I had any teenage children I would have taped it and made them watch it. This is what is needed with regards to reality TV. I do however understand why people would have had reservations with regards to cost, if they have loved one's that do not have the money to go private to receive Detox then it is hard to take, hopefully with this programme being viewed people will change their ways and opinions. People need to stop and think before speaking because unfortunately as I have seen recently it could come back to haunt them! Best wishes to Alison, Darren and Amanda. Again I would urge you to do a follow up show, if you can please to let us know how all three of them are doing because there are people out they're who really do care, I cried, prayed and laughed with them along the way.
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 20:51:43 GMT
Stacy, Dundee
Was just wondering if you can maybe put an update on the site to let us know the progress of Darren, Amanda and Alison? And also just to say well done to them all.
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 19:35:55 GMT
Helen, Liverpool
There was a poem read out on the last of the late shows, Thursday 23rd, I would like to get hold of the poem so if there is an author or any information, that would be great.
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 18:41:33 GMT
Karina, Reading
I have watched the show and truly hope they find their way to a clean life, but I am finding it really hard to muster any sympathy.Everyone has choices and everyone goes through hard time, admittedly some harder then others, but how you deal with these adversities say a lot about who you are. If the path you choose is heroin, you are weak, you would have to be born in a bubble not to be aware that it is highly addictive and will destroy your life. Addicts always say, "oh, it was only the once and before I knew it I needed it every day" EVERYONE KNOWS THAT, I don't know any drug addicts at all and I know that, there is no excuses! BUT we have to pay the price for your weakness; you steal, hurt and never pay any legal consequence. You use up expensive resources that my taxes have to pay for when you have likely never contributed anything to this country only taken; you are everything that is going wrong with this country. Sort your lives out, play the game and stop feeling sorry for your selves, we all have a choice!
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 18:11:36 GMT
Matthew, Cambuslang Glasgow
I totally disagree with the doctor saying that it was the Benz dines that she was still withdrawing from, I don’t think so, I think she was still withdrawing from the methadone I have seen cases of people going up to a week before they start withdrawing from it. In the girl’s case she didn’t look too bad the first three days and then it hit her and the doctor said it was the Benz dines she was withdrawing from I think and am pretty sure it wasn’t. I know this from experience as 22 year addict and now drug free I can go a couple of days sometimes without taking my methadone and I don’t start to withdraw until the third day.
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 18:03:27 GMT
Nat, Maidenhead
My ex partner has recently come off heroin and I would love to get hold of the poem that was read out at the end of the last show, to pass onto him, can you help me with this?
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 17:47:33 GMT
Blagoy, Bulgaria
I am an addict from Bulgaria who now is in the UK. Thanks very much for this program it is vital for the youngsters to find out what could happen to them if they start with the heroin. What I wanted to say is in Bulgaria the nautrexon is given to the addicts after 10 day detox some times even more. Another interesting fact is that one third of the prisoners there are addicts and they are in the jail not because they broke the law just because they kept drugs with them. Doesn’t matter what the quantity was, the law there treats the same way the dealers and the users.
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 15:41:25 GMT
Ann, Birmingham
I have learnt this week that my son has been using heroin. Your programme has been of tremendous help to me. I now have some understanding of the problem and although I am devastated I feel that I am not alone.
Created: Sunday, 26-Feb-2006 12:22:47 GMT
Clem, London
I think "Going Cold Turkey" is ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS, I can't believe Channel 4 has taken that step further into reality TV. I can't believe you justify the programme with the presence of an addiction specialist to make the show appear as if it was educational, when it really is about pure and morbid voyeurism. I am profoundly shocked and wonder when you'll make reality TV programmers with people dying. If that happens will you justify the show with some "death" specialist? I think whoever took part in the making of show should be ashamed. If your "experts" would like to comment on the ethics of broadcasting this programme, I'd curious what they say.
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 21:26:24 GMT
Sian, Reading
I went on a HYPE course to learn all about drugs, their legal status, positive/negative effects and harm reduction so that a group of us can go back to school and pass on our knowledge to the younger children in our school. I think this scheme is brilliant and I really feel like we've got through to some of these kids so that they won't get heavily into drugs. Having watched this program I really feel that kids of about 11 upwards would benefit from seeing it. It's one thing being told all the information by your peers but it's another thing entirely seeing someone go through the highs and the lows. I wish all addicts the best of luck in finding the determination to go cold turkey and I really feel that this would be brilliant education material to use in schools.
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 21:12:35 GMT
Chantille, Surrey
Can you please tell me the name of the clinic where the 3 people who were in the programme is?
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 21:08:33 GMT
Selina, Burntwood
I just want to say thank you for showing such a good real life documentary on TV Darren especially as been a real inspiration to me. I'm not a drug user but used to go out with someone who used heroin. Through loads of love and support he is now clean and has been for just over a year. I am now taking a college course in working in a rehabilitation centre for drug users and thanks to Darren, I now know I'm taking the right career move, so thank you and well done to all.
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 21:05:56 GMT
Danny, Doncaster
I know how hard it is to stay clean. I have been a heroin user for 10 years now and I'm slowly on the road to recovery. I am on methadone now since my girlfriend found out she was pregnant. She has now had our son and I’m trying my hardest to stay off scag, I’m not going to lie, I still use about twice a week but I am slowly getting there. My girlfriend was an addict as well but gave it up as she found out she was pregnant.
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 18:57:33 GMT
Sophia, Islington London
Why do people keep calling themselves 'ex' addicts? You’re an addict for life. It doesn't go away once you're clean or sober. Once clean/sober, you remain in recovery until you die. If you pick up again, you are straight back in the heart of your addiction, desperate to get clean again. I know if I have a drink, I'll want another and another and another.
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 16:18:57 GMT
Lyndsey, Radcliffe
It was really amazing to see them three going through that! I had never seen it happen to anyone else! My brother was on drugs from a young age and I had 2 watch him go thought it my whole life and coming to our parents for help and just relapsing! It was really good to see other peoples reactions.
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 15:07:02 GMT
Emma, Kingston
Channel 4 please do a follow up show on Darren, Amanda and Alison. I watched 'Going Cold Turkey' and was so proud of the 3 of them, even though I don't even know them!!... I wish them all the very best of luck!
Created: Saturday, 25-Feb-2006 02:55:29 GMT
Mark, Chester
Hi. I am addicted to Oxynorm which is prescribed to my mother as she has cancer and they are painkillers. I need to get off them, but I don’t want to tell anyone about it. None of my family knows and my doctor doesn’t know. I need help quickly to get off them as I'm getting worse. I tried to come off them but I couldn’t do it. I heard a man who is taking part in your addiction show say that he was suffering with really achy legs and that he couldn’t get them comfy. He said that all heroin users know what he's talking about, but this is exactly what happens to me in the morning if I haven’t had an oxynorm tablet or if I try to come off them. I need to know how I can come off them without having to go to my doctor or tell my family. There is no way I’m telling anyone about this, so I really need your help because you are the only people who can help me. What can I do to stop the addiction in the mornings? How can I stop my legs and whole body aching when I don’t take a tablet? I need to come off these tablets soon before they kill me.
Created: Friday, 24-Feb-2006 23:13:40 GMT
B, Reading
As a heroin user for three years I am now currently on a methadone script waiting for detox but after watching COLD TURKEY, to be truthful, it’s put me off.
Created: Friday, 24-Feb-2006 19:32:46 GMT
Vanessa, Kent
Congratulations on such an informative and graphic series, sensitively and honestly presented. I learnt more in this series about cold turkey than a lifetime of books and TV programmers, pity it couldn’t be shown in all secondary schools during lessons about drug information. Sincere good wishes to the 3 and their families and well done to all involved in the making of the programme.
Created: Friday, 24-Feb-2006 18:46:51 GMT
Alison, Bristol
Dreadful, exploitative, shallow, simplistic rubbish. Awful presenting, no clinical insight, no in-depth analysis of the problem. The 'I think we've got a love story' montage of your nurses stroking a sedated victim's head was degrading and morally outrageous. What about the causes of addiction? The aftercare needed? The emotional and social issues? Television at an all time low. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Created: Friday, 24-Feb-2006 15:07:47 GMT
Gwen, Peterborough
I have been watching going cold turkey and it has really affected me and scared the living daylights out of me. Since I ever watched Trainspotting I have been scared over heroin. And I think the programme and hopefully more to come should be shown to children in school like sex education. if it was shown the effects drugs like heroin had on people and the people around them and also the effects of coming of them to children in school today I believe that a lot would think twice about ever starting on them.
