Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure. I’m Daniel. I’m 52. I’ve lived in the city all my life. I keep myself busy by reading books, watching movies. Go meet up with my friends and socialize. Beyond that, I don’t go to clubs or big places.
What do you do for work?
Right now I’m not working. Over the years, I worked at a bank, then I did some teaching at The Princeton Review. My last job was working at my family’s restaurant, up until 2021.
Can you tell us about your history with substances and what brought you here?
I started smoking marijuana as a teenager. I few years later I tried some cocaine and a few years later opioids like heroin. Cocaine wasn’t as big a problem for me as heroin. Heroin is tougher because of the physical effects.
Have you overdosed before?
Yes, recently. About a year ago. I got something from a new supplier. I didn’t do that much, just half a bag, but 15 minutes later, I was in a store shopping and fell over. The staff called 911 and they came right away and saved my life.
How did you find Alliance for Positive Change, and when?
I knew about LESHRC back when it was on Allen Street. I was living in Brooklyn.
I’ve been living in the LES for a few years. I have my own apartment that I inherited from my parents. In a tenement building. My mom left me some money when she passed and that's paying the rent.
What services do you access here?
I come here for syringes, for clothing, food, and other support. I like going to groups, to hear different perspectives. It can go both ways, some people need to just cut out anyone they know who reminds them of the drug world. But for me, it has been healing.
What have been your triggers that made you use drugs—whether while actively using, or after a long break?
People I used to use with. And grief. My first relapse was when my fiancé passed away.
But I’ve also stopped and stared a lot. I’ve tried methadone programs four times. I’d stay sober for a few months, one time for two years.
And now you just started Suboxone?
Yeah. There was some problem with health insurance not covering it, but Alliance worked with Medicaid to get started.
I think I have realistic goals. it depends on how I feel. Maybe I will still need to use a little bit, but still use less, but my goal for sure is to stop using. If I put my mind to it, I know I can do it. One step at a time. I can’t over-predict.
Do you have a vision of what that will look like?
Get back to work. Improve my life situation. Be a normal person again. Go to work, go shopping for groceries, mundane things like that, but them being easier.
What is your philosophy in life?
I have a few. Treat people the way you want to be treated. You have to be self-reliant. To hear both sides of a story before I have an opinion on something. Everyone has their flaws, so be kind and cordial.