Taking the first step

My name is Brad Samson Crowe, I’m from Sandy Lake First Nation, the son of Max and Mary Crowe. I just turned 21 years old on November 23, 2012 and this is my story.
I know how hard it is to take that first step to admit you’re a drug addict and how hard it is to even ask for help.
I know it was hard for me. I didn’t know what to say or how to get help, until it hit me so hard I couldn’t help myself anymore.
I came to the point that I was sitting in my living room about two a.m. alone, just sitting there looking around...looking at my house and all I saw was my tools (needles, shaver, spoons, straws) and noticing that everything was going empty, my furniture, electronics, even my soul was getting empty.
I was losing my family because of my addictions to pills, losing trust....it is not a good feeling. I just sat there and cried for hours, finally thinking about life, asking myself if I wanted live like this and no I didn’t want to live like that...not knowing who to run to...so I messaged my brother Darrell Crowe and his wife Chantal Crowe, not knowing if they would see my message that night.
I am happy to say that they did see it. They came over, even though it was way past midnight, and once they walked through the door I broke down right away, asking them to help me with my addiction to pills, telling them that I can’t stop and telling them that I couldn’t do it on my own.
I’m happy they were there for me and they still are. I still go through some rough patches.
I’m not going to lie, I did try it few times after treatment, I guess you can say I relapsed, but I’m getting back on my feet. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, I’m not withdrawing, but I do have cravings.
I now have someone in my life that helps me and is there for me 24/7, I’m happy I found that person, I’m getting stronger than ever and I will continue to fight this addiction that many of our fellow Aboriginal First Nations people are fighting.
I’m not saying I’m perfect, I’m like any other person...black, white, Chinese, Mexican, Native...I’m just as equal as everyone :)
Thanks for reading,
Brad Samson Crowe