Interview with Rapper TW1TCH: Recovering addict, and advocate wants you to know we do overcome

"My doctor was my first Dealer." TW1TCH

Authors Note: Addiction is one powerful battle. that being said, not everyone will become addicts because of pain pills. Some do not have a choice when taking them. Everyone is different, and struggle with different things in life. Whatever it is you can get to the other side of it. If you're struggling please don't be ashamed or afraid to reach out. We are not perfect; we are human. And it is more than okay to ask for help if you are in need of it. Founder, Jessica 

Buffalo Native Stephen Fogarty, A.K.A TW1TCH, Recovering Opioid addict.

L8 Productions/ The indie Visuals/ Hip-hop artist with a message that you can come out of the other side of addiction. Traveling across the country to you get the message of recovery out. He has performed at Buffalo at Music Of Art. Twitch recently celebrated 3 years of sobriety, and for him, making music reminds him that people are listening and that he is not alone in his journey of recovery. His growing fan base on social media has also inspired him.

 His music is also loosely based on what his listeners have gone through in their lives. Most of whom are also in recovery. Stephen has worked with a production company in Boston called Glass House Productions. Performing in recovery festivals, and recently shared his aspiration for public speaking. TW1TCH has been very vocal about the importance of resources for recovering addicts. He is also been very open with sharing tips on how to get through the stages of withdrawal in the recovery journey, and also with dealing with depression. He recently sat down with the social media platform Wisdo to talk about that.

You can reach out to Stephen, A.KA. TW!TCH by contacting him at the following email address: tw1tchofficialcontact@gmail.com

You can also find Stephen A.K.A TW1TCH on the following social media sites.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TW1TCH/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialTW1TCH?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tw1tchofficial

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuUJ4ONllTzRO6p1g4GOVFA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tw1tchofficial/?hl=en

SnapChat:Tw1tchTheworldismyhome

Spotify and Itunes

Interview questions: 

1: Everyone has a story of recovery in my opinion. Can you share with me in detail what your personal story of recovery is?

2. Do you find it harder to stay sober as more time goes on? And is the temptation greater when you're on the road than it is when your not?

3. What can you say to someone that has recently decided to stop using and start on the road to recovery?

4. What was your “rock bottom moment” where you said enough is enough?

5. I am a big believer in that our challenges can hold hidden blessings. What do you think your hidden blessings are with recovering from your addiction?

6. Aside from your music, what other outlet do you turn to on difficult days?

7. What was the best advice that was given to you during your recovery, and what was the worst advice you were given? 

8. What do you say to those that may criticize you for being so vocal about your addiction/recovery?

9. How would you describe your journey with addiction/recovery thus far?

10. What do you consider to be your personal mantra that has helped you stay focused on your recovery? 

1. As many before and many after me, my story began at my doctor's office. I was in and out of different specialists my entire childhood, trying figure out what was "wrong with me". I had many behavioral and emotional problems and like any good parents would do, my Mom and Dad took me to the doctors and followed their advice. Their advice at the time was heavy prescription pills -mostly beginning with mood stabilizers and anti-depressants and later graduating into Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin etc). Not only did the medications create a fog like a zombie effect on my brain and me, but it taught me to confide in an outside solution when facing an internal situation. I did exactly as I was shown how to for the years to follow.

2. My recovery from Opiates has been a very long and strenuous road. I have used Marijuana Maintenance off and on when cravings become overwhelming and meditation to really be able to detach myself from my old being. Time helps in certain aspects but we carry this disease every day of our lives, so a long-term battle is what I've prepared myself for. My gratitude for my freedom grows with each breath so I would say, all in all, time does help to separate you from the direct pain. Being on the road does make it more difficult, which is why I opt out of a lot of opportunities. I would honestly rather be home with my family. A performance or show will never be worth jeopardizing my recovery or family for. Luckily I surround myself with only people who understand this core aspect of me.

3. You can do this. It seems impossible, I know, but I am living proof that we DO recover. You must focus on the moment at hand. Stay strong for right now. Don't worry about later, tomorrow, next week or next year. Take it one moment at a time. It is key to have someone to confide in. It doesn't have to be more than one person, and that one person should be someone on the path to recovery who has lived it. Walking the path alone is nearly impossible and very lonely. Learn to find strength in your brothers and sisters.

4. I had many rock bottoms, as we all do. The last time I decided to take the step was because I had spent a week in the Psych ward for a mental 'break down' (I like to refer to it as my awakening/enlightenment). I had finally seen the light that I had forever been searching for. I can't really put it into words but I woke up to the 'drug' that is life. From then on, I didn't need or want to see it under that same fog. I was free.

5. My hidden blessings aren't hidden at all. I see them very clearly. My long, uphill battle with drug addiction has offered me a new perspective on what it truly means to be grateful. I no longer search for anything more than what I have always had. The love and encouragement of my family, friends, and fans are a daily reminder that every dark cloud has a silver lining. On top of that, I wouldn't have met the thousands of people I have, nor influenced so many lives in the ways that I have been able to do. My dharma in this life is showing to me with more solidity than ever before.

6. My family is my major outlet. My kids and my fiance are everything to me. They remind me that no matter what I'm going through, as long as they're here, bad days don't exist.

7. The best advice I was given on recovery is that there is no perfect way to recover. As long as we are consciously working at being better than the person we were before, then we are in recovery. It's a long path. Respect its depth, respect its time. The worst advice I have ever been given on recovery is - none. Every single person has a different way to recover. Although those ways may go against my personal path, I can only recognize their willingness to change and respect it as such.

8. I say nothing. As recovering addicts, we walk amongst some of the strongest people on the planet. Those are the people I speak for.

9. My journey has been beautiful. It has shown me the true fragility of life and taught me to handle it with care. I have suffered through many dark times, but those dark times have only made it easier to see the light. 

10. My personal mantra during the road to recovery has been, "Today is a new beginning. Treat it as such." We so often keep ourselves chained to our past mistakes. That burden hinders our recovery among every step of the way. Learn to let go, and you will learn to be free. Good luck...and remember, we DO recover.

TW1TCH