On July 13th millions of Glee fans and people alike were stunned and saddened by the loss of actor Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson on the popular television series. What makes this more heartbreaking is not only that he died at the young age of 31 but how he actually passed. The autopsy report states that he passed away from a mixed drug toxicity consisting of heroin and alcohol. It was documented that he recently completed a rehab stay between the end of March and mid-April, only the second time in his life that he sought treatment for this matter.
There is a depth to this story that transcends Cory and so many other issues surrounding his death- one in particular being the rapid drug trend that is sweeping the gay community. We see so many ads online promoting PNP (Party N Play) in which gay men hook up with the intention of getting high in the process of. This is a dangerous and toxic element that is only hurting people and not helping them, which is why gay men should really view Cory’s death as a huge wakeup call.
“It is all too common for men in the gay community to experiment with drugs, often at an early age,” says Dr. Edward S Goldberg, MD, who has served the gay community in New York City for the past twenty years. “The most popular drugs these days seem to be crystal meth, GHB, X, and cocaine. Heroin made a comeback a few years back as an inexpensive way to “check-Out” emotionally while getting a euphoric buzz. The way I see it, the biggest problems are crystal meth and heroin due to their nearly-instantaneous addictive potential. I’ve seen success in sobriety with both substances but I’ve seen it not end well far more often than the success I speak of.”
It was never a big story in the media regarding Cory’s drug and alcohol use, mainly because he wasn’t like other celebrities whose chronicles were well-documented by the paparazzi or their recent stint on “Celebrity Rehab”. At times people keep their addiction hidden for whatever reasons need be. In millions of people’s eyes, Cory was a role model. He was under pressure to keep an image in tact that is relatable to the show. People who are under the addiction of drugs may feel the same way, but get so deep into it that it becomes a double life situation that they can’t see their way out of.
“It’s very frustrating when you see someone allow their demons and addictions to take control of their lives”, retired adult film star and gay personality Charlie Harding states. “He allowed his desires and wants for a high to outweigh his self-preservation instinct, his will power and ultimately his common sense”. For the gay men who are dealing with similar problem’s that Cory dealt with, use this as a way to get help and get out of the haze you are presently in. Don’t make a temporary problem a permanent issue.
JW Vandenberg says
Many young gay men used to have no anchors in their lives or families to help them understand their feelings and learn that they were OK. Hopefully a lot of that has changed. Dont even experiment. No one who does drugs is your friend.
abatard50 says
What a stereotypical story, with no supporting evidence other than the writers opinion. You paint the ‘Gay Community” as drug crazed brainless drones. Like any culture there is a drug problem and not just in ours. However your story would portray us all as drug & sex crazed drones. Let’s try and put a positive spin on our communities as their is so much more going on in them then what you seem to think. Your doing a disservice to readers and gay communities everywhere. The truth..sex and drugs have been a part of gay culture well before the 60’s. However..there are also many times more, hard working, responsible members as well.
Pat says
another missed opportunity to talk about our draconic drug laws and how they actually hurt millions around the world annually instead of helping, all for the glory of larger profits from the prison/law enforcement sectors; gaining billions off of the sheep tax-payers who pay for the war on drugs.
not just talking about America, All of North America as well as UK (cept portugal and holland)
raytheist says
It’s a shame the writer has such a poor command of the English language it makes me wonder if the author wasn’t under the influence. Perhaps the “editor in chief” should get a real editor who knows the language.
Teva Bruce says
I like to party sometimes….who doesn’t?…and who doesn’t have a vice addiction,habit or skeleton in their closet of some description?.Never was a drinker and the smokes I kicked.I know when enough is enough and it’s time to go home,no mixing elements and no sharing of essentials..BYO or go home.And exactly what makes the author of this piece want to target only gay men?..from what I’ve learned over the decades both straight and gay like to play…
Accra Beach says
I am gay & I do not take drugs, so please speak for yourself Ryan Shea. This article is full of generalisations with no evidence or statistics to support the claims of gay men’s abusive drug taking. This is uninspiring & inferior journalism and a far cry from the editor in Chief’s, “Enjoy our fantastic writers and all they have to talk about…”.
Michael Nicholas says
Not a fan of glee though I caught it a few times…..Drug addiction affects every culture and more likely than not his drug addiction had little to do with the fact he was gay, I particularly cant stand that they consulted a former adult film star and not someone like an addiction counselor or therapist for their take on why this man died.
Steven Thomson says
another nasty example of how some journalists stereotype gay men. This tragic death has lessons for everyone and to foster notions that gay men are more tragic, more addicted and more likely die to from drugs and sex overdose is just plain old homophobia. Addiction knows no boundaries and poor old Cory Monteith should be left to rest in peace.
Rev. Edward Salm, PhD says
In defense of the writer (whom I do not know), drug use is unfortunately very high amongst gay men in big cities, and who are active online (websites, iPhone apps, etc). No, it may not represent gay life as a whole, or perhaps even a majority. But as someone who is active is said groups, it is something I encounter with shocking regularity. It is pervasive. It is killing my brothers, and driving a hard stake through the heart of our community.
I am a “normie”: someone who has never used. Crystal-meth has taken nine of my friends, some of them very dear to me. Dozens more struggle day after day to try and stay sober, only to drift back once again into the recurring cycle of re-lapse. Several of those took their own lives because they could no longer deal with the roller-coaster ride. These were intelligent, educated, successful men who truly wanted to be sober and physically could not.
One friend was found dead, lumped over his steering wheel, from a meth induced heart attack. Another was found two weeks later rotting in his home. These were both amazing, artistic men, who had given so much to others, and suffered such an indignant end.
If you use crystal-meth and think you are not addicted, you have been fooled by the most toxic substance ever created, with “G” a close runner up. They both alter the biochemistry of nearly every organ and tissue system in your body within one or two doses. It changes those systems so they require the chemical in order to function.
Crystal-meth alters saliva chemistry and pH. Minerals are leeched from the teeth, and the acid substance rots them away with haste. Blood gases and and lung function are altered. Seratonin chemistry is changed so severely, that users operate in a reality so altered they are unaware of it’s abnormality.
I’m glad that others here are, or think they are, unaffected by it, so they are unaware of its existence. This is a wake up call people. It is out there and spiraling. Please, if you care about your brothers and community, talk to your friends and coworkers. Be direct, ask questions. Get involved before it’s too late and we lose another generation of talent and treasured souls.