Against Doctor’s Orders: Heroin Addiction – Back to the Hospital

I was speaking with Teddy in Talkers’ Park when I noticed Shaggy approaching in the distance. He was over an hour late for our appointment, but at least he had showed up. I promised Shaggy the day before that I would go with him to the hospital while he was being readmitted for treatment.

Shaggy developed a serious infection in his foot, and against the doctor’s orders, he left the hospital last week without completing treatment. Apparently, Shaggy was told that he would need to stay in the hospital for two weeks, but after just three days in the hospital, Shaggy bolted out the door.

The pull of addiction is often so powerful, that even with the full knowledge that his infection is serious, Shaggy is obviously willing to compromise not only his health, but his life itself – just for another hit of junk.

“Hey man, I am so sorry that I’m late. I was worried that you had left already. I fuckin’ overslept, but got here as fast as I could,” Shaggy belted out hurriedly as he took in large gulps of air in an attempt to catch his breath. “Not a problem bro, I figured you may be a little late,” I replied.

“I don’t have any money, and I need to do some dope before we go bro. I have to panhandle just enough to get $20.00. Is it cool if I do that before we head out?” Shaggy asked with desperation written across his face. “Fine by me man, whatever you need to do, just so long as we end up going back to the hospital as we planned,” I said with an understanding, yet firm tone.

“Hell yes man, we’re going to the hospital, I just need to get some dope first,” Shaggy reiterated. We headed off together into the pulsating city, Shaggy to make his rounds hustling money, and I to tag along and observe.

“Excuse me mam, I don’t mean to bother you, but I’m trying to get the last eight dollars together so that I can get a room and take a shower. I’m homeless, and could use any help that you can give,” Shaggy chanted as he approached people, as they went about their business.

Unlike some addicts, Shaggy likes to “hustle” rather than “sign.” For some people, sitting for hours with a sign doing nothing isn’t tolerable.  John Lee on the other hand, preferred signing over hustling. Hustling is just too direct of an interaction for some.

Regardless of the technique used, a heroin addict MUST come up with the money for their next fix. An addict’s entire being revolves around acquiring the money to score.

After two solid hours of continuous walking and hustling, Shaggy finally had enough money to get two $10.00 bags of heroin. I decided to wait in the Loop while Shaggy went to the West Side to score some junk. I watched as Shaggy descended under the city and onto the Blue Line. After about an hour’s wait, Shaggy returned with two bags of heroin. “I told you I’d come back,” said Shaggy as we disappeared into a nearby alley where he could inject both bags.

After Shaggy finished injecting, we headed down to the Red Line.

After hours of waiting, we were actually on the train and heading to the hospital.

Heroin wasn’t the only addiction that needed to be fed before entering the hospital. Shaggy must have stopped a half-dozen times to pick up and smoke cigarette butts. It was almost torturous getting this close to the hospital door, only to find myself waiting yet again for Shaggy to prepare himself for entering the hospital.

Then, it happened. After six hours working to escort Shaggy to Northwestern, he actually walked through the hospital door.

After about an hour, Shaggy was assigned to emergency room number two, where he began to take his shoes off for the first time in about a week.

Once his shoe was off, a large hole in the heel of his foot became visible. I couldn’t believe how swollen his foot looked. It was as if his foot wasn’t really a part of his body, but rather some strange offshoot that serves no purpose other than providing unnecessary dead weight to an already overburdened life.

I stayed with Shaggy up until right before the hospital staff took him up to his room. I promised to come and see him Wednesday morning, and expressed my satisfaction that he was doing the right thing by seeking proper medical treatment for his infection. He’ll be put on methadone, but whether or not he’ll stay, only time will tell.

“Thanks a lot Chuck for helping me out like you do. It means more than you think,” Shaggy said as I was leaving the room. I turned one last time and replied, “you just be cool and follow through with this Shaggy. I’ll see you on Wednesday bro. Sleep well.”