CicloSDias Minis
Paging Mike Hunt
Is that guy in the band The Paragraphs with his picture on the lower right of the page [“Music,” Feb. 6] really named “Mike Hunt”? Hilarious. Seems like a perfect stage name like “Sid Vicious” or “Black Francis.”
That’s the oldest crank-call name in the book. Call the store and tell them you need to talk to Mike Hunt and could they please page him over the intercom.
“Mike Hunt. There’s a phone call for Mike Hunt. If you have seen Mike Hunt, could you contact me at the booth?” Mike Hunt. That’s hilarious.
Johnny Reese, Pacific Beach
‘Recovery does work’
I am a recovering heroin addict. Thank you for publishing the article on Vivitrol [“News,” Jan. 30]. I have not been addicted to opiates in a long time. I switched my drug of choice to amphetamines during my last years of using. I wish they had a drug that blocked the receptors in the brain that felt pleasure from amphetamines.
I had a hard time getting clean initially; the cravings to go back out and use one more time were overwhelming. I had to hit bottom before I was ready to accept help. I spent years going on and off the wagon, during which time I remained relatively sober; however, I did little to make any significant changes in my behavior and thinking. Needless to say, I just could not stay clean.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to put in place a whole new framework for living—that is something I learned in treatment, where I was surrounded by other recovering addicts and alcoholics. I spent my days waking up early, cooking, cleaning, going to groups, doing laundry, working out and going to more groups. The days were long and structured. I still, to this day, apply those same principles to my living, even though I don’t have anyone telling me what to do and when to do it anymore.
I completed a program, Prop. 36, which is like drug court. I have not been in trouble since then. Vivitrol can be a helpful tool, and I think coupled with one’s choice of 12-step program, it will lead to more success stories. I have more than 27 months’ clean and sober now; recovery does work. I used to be a hopeless case, and thanks to treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous, I have become a very different person. Today my life is worth living.
Nick A., Normal Heights
The right fit
Congrats to Jen Van Tieghem on her new gig as CityBeat’s wine columnist [“Editor’s Note,” Feb. 13]. Anyone who’s ever worked with Jen knows that her enthusiasm for writing is a much sought-after commodity. Her fresh writing style is going to be a perfect match for CityBeat.
Vince Meehan, Santee
