Treating Depression With Street Drugs-Monica

Quick Overview

Monica explains that she relapsed into using drugs, specifically meth and fentanyl, after a traumatic car accident where she broke her back and ribs, leading to her eviction and subsequent homelessness, which has created a difficult reality where she struggles to stay clean while worrying about her children.

Key Points: Monica relapsed into using drugs, including meth and fentanyl, after a traumatic car accident where she broke her back and ribs. The accident caused her to lose her job in property management because she could not work or pay rent, leading to eviction from her home. She currently lives in a tent on Skid Row in Los Angeles and struggles with the need to use drugs to cope with the trauma. Her older brother, who was also present during the car accident, was sexually assaulted by a police officer, an event that continues to cause trauma for her daughter, who is now 22. Monica expresses guilt and worry that her children struggle to see her as a role model due to her current living situation and addiction. She stated that her daughter, who is now 22, is living with her boyfriend in Riverside and works as a receptionist at a community college. Monica expresses regret over not telling her ex-husband about her struggles before the divorce, as she felt she had to maintain an image of being capable.

Context: This video is an interview segment from the series 'Soft White Underbelly' by Mark Laita, focusing on Monica, a resident of Skid Row, Los Angeles. The interview explores her life, her struggles with addiction, self-medication for depression, and the impact of past trauma, including a severe car accident and the sexual assault of her brother, on her current stability and relationships with her children.

Detailed Analysis

Monica details her relapse into drug use, specifically mentioning meth and fentanyl, which she uses to cope with depression and trauma. This relapse followed a severe car accident that occurred on Christmas morning while she was driving back from San Diego with her brother. In the crash, she broke her back and ribs, and her spinal cord was injured. Because she could not work or make insurance payments after being kicked out of the hospital, she lost her job in property management and subsequently her home, forcing her into homelessness on Skid Row. Monica also reveals a significant trauma involving her older brother, who was sexually assaulted by a police officer after the accident. This event still affects her daughter, who is now 22 and living with her boyfriend in Riverside, where she works. Monica expresses deep guilt that her struggles prevent her from being the role model her children need, noting that her daughter is now hesitant to talk to her. She reflects on her past, mentioning that she used to have a career in property management and financed a plumbing company, but after her divorce, she lost everything and turned to drugs to cope, including using fentanyl, which she notes is now prevalent on the streets. She feels stuck because of the constant need to secure drugs and the fear of losing her children, stating that she has no coping skills other than using drugs to numb the pain.