Centerpiece
ResourcesWhere Are They Now?
Aubrey
A Mother's DesperationIn Film - After spending 5 weeks on the run, Aubrey moved back in with her mother.
Together, they worked to maintain her sobriety by forming a personal contract of mutual support
and guidelines.
Post Film (02/27/07) - It has been a constant struggle for Aubrey to remain clean since filming
of the documentary was completed. Aubrey went on the "Revia" Naltrexone implant and stayed
sober while on it. When Aubrey switched to a pill form of the same drug, she stopped taking them
and soon relapsed. After learning she was pregnant, Aubrey went on methadone, which worked
for a few months, but then her behavior showed signs of drug use again. Aubrey stole a credit card
from her mother's friend, who pressed charges, and Detective Mitchell arrested her. Upon her
release from jail, Aubrey entered an in-patient methadone facility for pregnant mothers for two
months. In February, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl and Aubrey is seeking long term
treatment.
Donna is doing fine and is closely involved with her support group which has received a grant to
help create new branches of the group in surrounding areas.
Ted
The Adolescent AddictIn Film - After a successful 6 month stint at the Phoenix Academy, Ted graduated.
Post Film (02/06/07) - After spending some time out in California at film school, Ted moved
back home and is now working in a restaurant. He has not relapsed once since graduating the
program at Phoenix Academy and his mother is very proud of how he approaches his sobriety on
a daily basis.
Dylan
The Adolescent AddictIn Film - Dylan's drug use and 'rage episodes' had gotten so bad that his parents eventually
had him arrested. Once he was released, Dylan entered a Multi-Systemic Therapy outpatient
program.
Post Film (01/03/07) - Dylan was doing well while he was in day treatment, allowing him to
make a transition to high school. However, he soon had difficulty adjusting to some of the rules
and his use of pot and cigarettes increased. He then began smoking meth and started failing his
classes. Breaking his probation as a result, Dylan was arrested and served 4 months in prison.
Right now he is in a residential treatment program and is expected to be there for 6 months.
Dylan is struggling to follow some of the rules there, which has slowed down his progress but he
has been clean for about 2 months and his mother says "he seems more clear-headed than he has
since he was a little boy." He will be 16 years old in April.
Justin and Amanda
Opiate Addiction: A New MedicationIn Film - Justin and Amanda, a young couple who had been addicted to opiates for several
years, entered Acadia Hospital's treatment facility to get help with their opiate addiction. Six
months after being on drug replacement therapy, they have both remained sober.
Post Film (02/01/07) - Justin and Amanda are both doing well. They have remained sober, not
having a single relapse since going on Suboxone. Both have switched over to methadone because
of the cost and lack of insurance for Suboxone. They are working full time and return to Acadia
every morning at 5:30am to receive their medicine.
Tom
Topiramate: A Clinical Trial for AlcoholismIn Film - An alcoholic for much of his life, Tom turned to a clinical trial of topiramate at
the University of Virginia to help end his alcohol cravings. After 12 weeks on the trial, he was
successful at attaining sobriety.
Post Film (01/30/07) - Tom has stopped taking topiramate and has remained sober since
filming ended. He lives a happy, retired life and can't believe how different and fulfilling his days
have been since getting sober.
Adam
Topiramate: A Clinical Trial for AlcoholismIn Film - Drinking heavily since college, Adam decided he wanted to stop. After 12 weeks
on the trial of topiramate, Adam has been clean for 3 weeks and began writing music again.
Post Film (01/30/07) - After going off of topiramate, Adam struggled to remain sober, eventually
checking himself into a 28 day treatment program. After successfully completing the program,
Adam has remained sober for the past four months and is currently working part time and
attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly.
John
Brain ImagingIn Film - At first reluctant to stop his methamphetamine use, John took Dr. Volkow's
advice to quit after seeing abnormal images of his brain.
Post Film (10/20/06) - John is doing great and has remained sober since filming was
completed. He currently works for an office supply manufacturer.
Roberta
Insurance WoesIn Film - At a Pennsylvania State legislature's Health and Human Services Committee
hearing, Roberta Lojak testified about her daughter Ashley's struggle with heroin addiction. Once
her addiction became known to her parents, Ashley voluntarily entered a 28 day inpatient
treatment center. 7 days into treatment, Ashley was released because her insurance company
refused to pay for further treatment. The next morning Roberta discovered Ashley in her
bedroom, having died from an overdose.
Post Film (02/02/07) - Roberta has "nothing to report."
Joan Ward
Insurance WoesIn Film - An advocate for building a better insurance system to provide care for those
struggling with addiction, Joan tells the story of her son Rob, who she discovered was abusing
drugs in his senior year of high school, and is now in prison for a drug-related robbery.
Post Film (01/30/07) - Although her son is still in prison, Joan continues to be very active in the
fight against drug and alcohol addiction as a public advocate. She is part of a steering committee
that is forming a parent's panel to advise the Pennsylvania Bureau of Drug and Alcohol on how to
provide better assistance to families affected by addiction.
Jane and Doug
Getting an Addict into Treatment: The CRAFT ApproachIn Film - With a tragic family history of alcohol abuse, Jane had tried everything to get her
grandson, Doug, into treatment for his alcohol addiction but nothing worked. Finally, Jane turned
to the CRAFT approach to persuade Doug to get into treatment. She was successful, and Doug
entered therapy and began his journey to break the cycle of alcohol addiction that has destroyed
many of his relatives' lives.
Post Film (01/20/07) - After a very brief relapse, Doug has remained sober for several months
and attends AA on a regular basis. He currently drives an 18-wheeler and has a new baby
daughter. Jane still goes to Allies in Recovery for counseling and is very proud of Doug for how he
has handled himself throughout the past year.
Joe
South Boston Drug CourtIn Film - Joe, a heroin addict who stole to support his addiction, had entered the Drug
Court program as an alternative to jail. However, after getting caught shoplifting, Joe relapsed
and skipped his court hearing on the charge.
Post Film (10/20/06) - Joe is doing very well. He successfully completed the 10-month drug
court program and has remained sober and employed for over a year and a half.
Brian
South Boston Drug CourtIn Film - Brian had entered Drug Court in lieu of prison and to get away from using. During
this process, he was able to confront his addiction and get sober.
Post Film (10/20/06) - Brian has not had any more run-ins with the law and has remained sober.
Sherri
Treating Stimulant Addiction: The CBT ApproachIn Film - "Taught" from a young age to party by her mother, Sherri decided to enter the
Matrix program to get control over her meth addiction. Since entering the program, Sherri has
been 18 months clean and is trying to come to terms with her relationship with her mother.
Post Film (12/08/06) - Sherri graduated the Matrix program after extending her time there
another year. Since we last spoke to her, she was doing well.
Cheryl
Treating Stimulant Addiction: The CBT ApproachIn Film - Sexually abused as a child, Cheryl had turned to drugs as a way to cope with the
pain she experienced at a young age. On the verge of killing herself, she had opted for treatment
in lieu of prison and has been clean for 8 months.
Post Film (01/30/07) - Cheryl's life has made "a 180 degree turn." She is doing great and has not
touched a drink or drug since graduating the Matrix program. Cheryl now owns her own
consulting company and hopes to be a proud grandmother in the next few months.
Eric
Treating Stimulant Addiction: The CBT ApproachIn Film - A meth user who had entered the Matrix program in lieu of prison. Eric has been clean
for three weeks and says his life has gotten better and less complicated as a result.
Post Film (12/08/06) - Eric remains a member of the Matrix after care program and continues to
attend monthly meetings. He has one year left on parole and is doing well.
Bill
The Science of RelapseIn Film - A crack cocaine addict, when we first see Bill he has entered a study at the
University of Pennsylvania that investigates the brain's response to drug cues.
Post Film (02/13/07) - After several relapses, Bill moved to Allentown, PA to start a new life. He
has joined Alcoholics Anonymous and has been clean for over 5 months. He is doing fine but says
that his day-to-day work to remain sober is "never as simple as saying I'm not going to use or I
am."
Don Perks
Steamfitters Local Union 638In Film - A member of the Steamfitters local union for over 30 years, Don had become accustomed
to drinking on the job because it was then considered "acceptable." After a series of close calls,
Don had turned his energy away from drinking and entered treatment. He then turned his
attention to helping union members in need by becoming involved in its Employees Assistance
Program.
Post Film (01/04/07) - Don Perks is semi-retired but still works two days a week at the Steamfitter's
Employee Assistance Program. He is leading an initiative that focuses on young union members
with drug or alcohol issues to recognize they have a problem before it becomes a full-blown
addiction. He will retire in April, 2007 and says that "the program is going really good."
