DCL
Annie:
ADDICTION: Heroin & Cocaine, Speedball Addict
Michael:
ADDICTION: Heroin & Cocaine, Speedball Addict
Annie and Mike are co-dependent speedballers whose addictions have taken them, and their families, to the depths of despair. After meeting one another in a 12 step program, Mike and Annie fell in love and into a drug relapse that forced Annie to squander her promising up-and-coming art career and Mike to give up his relationship with his 3 year-old son. Their only chance at regaining their lives is through a dual intervention performed by Kristina and a treatment plan that aims to separate them.
Where Are They Now?
Update from Annie:
I could not stop. Even when it stopped working and I could no longer get high, even though I would rather die than continue on the way that I was living, even though I had given up my family, friends, my home, my sanity, self respect, my art, I could not stop. I would have died for my drug. I should have been dead in that motel room. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for everyone that's helped me save my life. I could never had done it alone. I have struggled, recovery has not been an easy path for me, from kicking cold turkey, moving, ending my relationship with Michael, trying to build my art career. It has been difficult, but I had to change EVERYTHING, and sometimes it has sucked! But I have not given up, one day at a time, sometimes five minutes at a time and as a result of working the program I have been given a life that far exceeds anything that I have ever imagined for myself. I am becoming the woman I had always wanted to be. I have my family in my life today, I have friends, my sense of humor back, I have faith, I'm cute again!!, and lastly I have my greatest passion in life back, my art. I live and, display my paintings in LA now, and have been met with great success (I've got celebrity clients!OMG!). I would like to thank everybody that is a fan, this is so exciting. Lastly, I need to stress the fact that I would not be where I'm at today If I was not sober. I had completely given up on myself and I had to find the strength from people who believed in me, I had to ask for help, I had to be willing, it's been the HARDEST thing I've ever done in my life and I need to tell all of you, If I could get clean and change my life, ANYBODY can. I can't thank all of you enough for all of your support and for giving me my life back! If you are struggling with addiction, there is a way out, there is hope. I am so grateful to all of you, the fans, to TLC, to Kristina. This show has saved my life, I am no longer a junkie, I am an artist in recovery. Thank you, Thank you. MY LIFE ROCKS!!!
-Annie
Check out Annie's artwork at anniepreece.com
Update from Michael:
Hello Everyone! First off, I would like to express my gratitude towards the producers of this show, Kristina Wandzilak, the TLC Network, and all the fans who support and watch the show. Also I would like to acknowledge my family, who has held on tight through this wild ride. I have no doubts that I would be dead or in prison if I hadn't reached out for help. Thank you all for your support!
If you are still struggling with addiction, I hope that this show can give you what you need to get help soon. The change that Annie and I went through was definitely not easy. It took courage, strength, determination, willingness and open mindedness to make a better life. The hardest part about this experience was not only letting go, but letting my higher power lead the way. If Annie and I can make it through this and stay sober while still maintaining a friendship, it is possible for you to do the same.
As you will observe through watching the sixth episode, Annie and I were in a SUPER co-dependent relationship with each other, and at the same time, addicted to drugs. Our addiction, in correspondence to our relationship, has beckoned several near death experiences, and a life in jail. And for myself, my addiction had stolen my son from me.
My name is Michael Lombardo and I was addicted. I was given the opportunity to be on Addicted when I was living in Santa Cruz, while strung out on heroin and cocaine. I have been addicted to heroin since the age of 16. I am now 27. I have entered myself into treatment facilities/detox facilities more than 15 times within the last 10 years. I have committed crimes against those I am close to, and have betrayed those that I love. I was the kind of addict that would steal your dope, and then help you look for it. I didn't care about anything except for my next high. I have broken into houses, robbed, and impersonated an undercover officer for dope. I was at my wits end before my intervention. My hustling ideas were turning violent, and the path that I was leading was sure to land me in prison. The thought of going to jail or losing my life, family, or friends never stopped me from using drugs. As a result of being addicted to heroin, I lost all hope; but most importantly, I had lost my freedom to live.
Living in addiction is a desperate and horrible place to live. Even though I feared not having enough dope to last me an eternity, the thing I feared the most was being miserable. Dope was no longer fun, it was a necessity. I had lost my friends, I was killing my best friend, I no longer talked to my family, and I felt that I had no reason to live. My addiction was tormenting me.
After spending 40 days in treatment at Skip Byron Primary Program in San Francisco, I moved directly into a Sober Living Environment in San Francisco. I have been at my SLE since the beginning of February, and I plan to stay here for several more months until I can afford to rent my own room, where I can live with my son part time.
Since the day after my intervention, I have not picked up drugs or alcohol. I am very adamant about staying clean. I currently have 105 consecutive days clean and have developed new friendships in San Francisco, still maintaining contact with my clean and sober friends in Santa Cruz. Annie and I still keep in contact with each other on a weekly basis and are soon planning to see each other for the first time since our reunion in late January. We have remained close friends. Just as I have made San Francisco my new home, Annie has made Los Angeles hers.
I am working at a coffee shop located in the City, and I am slowly building my life back up from scratch. I go to meetings several times a week, work with a sponsor, and participate in AA and NA functions in hopes to inspire the fellowships that I am a member of.
Over the last three months, my life has changed significantly. I can honestly say that I am grateful for what I have!
-Mikey
