@@aaronm.3581 Crack will turn someone into a completely different person though. If you compare the two drugs you will see a whole different level of low and one that will hold on to you for the rest of your life. That’s the difference.
This is mark most honest video that man has real issues with crack and very well aware of it and wants help bad I hope he gets clean Read the Bible and ask God for help because evidently he can't do it on his own
I wouldn’t say he’s so far gone, but you can definitely see how cocaine leads to people who are too far gone to talk the way they do. It’s like you can see the racing thoughts going through his head but he still is kind of able to actually make sense of that.
The love of my life was very much like this man. He was so bright and so insightful. I lost him in August last year, in part to his addiction. He was such an amazing man, he never stopped trying to get back on his feet after falling. He was my best friend and I miss him every minute of every day. He would get clean and build this amazing life and firm foundation for a year or two. He would be a pillar in the recovery community…other people looked up to him, he was so loved and respected….and then he would disappear and go on a binge. He would lose everything he had built in a matter of months. I always kept my finances, career, and my home life separate from him for this reason. For 17 years he did this dance of insanity. It was difficult but I always loved him, albeit often from a distance. I wish he saw in himself what I always saw in him, then he may still be here. Addiction is cunning, it’s powerful and it’s baffling. It doesn’t discriminate. There are so many incredible human beings suffering from this disease.
My condolences. Addiction is a manipulative, sly beast. You can confide in it and run away from your problems in it but you can’t escape from it. So sorry. Hoping you’ll heal and forever keep his memory in your heart. Sending my love❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Thanks y’all. He wasn’t a bad man at all, he just had a bad disease that is coupled with and exacerbated by bad choices. I was so lucky to be loved by him and I cherish the time we spent together when he was at his best. I hope the man in this video finds some peace and serenity also. He is worth it.
I'm sorry 4 the pain u must be feeling losing the love of yr life 2 addiction💜 I'm 48yrs old& 23yrs into heroin addiction,I own my own home &work in my family business therefore I have always been able 2 pay 4 my addiction,so I don't have 2 steal,or sell my body or do any of the other terrible things we addicts do 2 fund their addiction...Thank u 4 being understanding,I can't imagine how hard it must be 2 love an addict...💜Peace,love&empathy....🙏💜💕💜
YESSSSSSSSS!! SO MANY FUCKIN AMAZING FOLKS AFFECTED BY THIS BULLSHIT!!! I HATE THE MUTHAFUCKA THAT COOKED THE FIRST ROCK UP!! I KNOW THEY DID NOT KNOW THE DEVASTATION THIS DRUG WOULD/DOES BRING!! THAT'S Y I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DRUG WAS INVENTED BY THE DEVIL! IT'S TOTALLY DEMONIC IN EVERY WAY!! IT HAS DESTROYED FAMILIES, RELATIONSHIPS, JOBS, MONEY, ETC!! CAN U REALLY IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, LIVING LIFE, LOVING LIFE AND FRUITFUL?????!! CAN U IMAGINE HOW MUCH THE DEVASTATION HAS BECOME A "NORMALCY" FOR THOSE AFFECTED???! CAN U IMAGINE THE CHILDREN WHO'VE HAD TO LIVE THRU THE PERILS OF THIS ADDICTION & ADAPT TO WHAT IT BRINGS????! THIS DRUG WAS DESIGNED TO DESTROY BLACKS & LATINOS & ANY FUTURE OF THEM OR LACK THERE OF!! AIDS, CRACK COCAINE, POVERTY & THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN HAS BEEN A BATTLE SINCE I CAN RECALL!!! PRIOR TO CRACK COCAINE THERE WAS A SENSE OF PRIDE & DIGNITY POSSESSED BY THOSE OF COLOR, REGARDLESS OF THEIR MONETARY SITUATIONS! THE BLACK MAN FELT PRIDE & PRODUCED FOR HIS FAMILY & IN RETURN HE WAS THE KING OF LIFE ITSELF!! WHEN THE "WHITE MAN" FIGURED OUT AN INDEFINITE WAY TO CAUSE DESTRUCTION, HE POURED LIFE CHANGING DRUGS INTO IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY & WATCHED GENERATIONS DESTROY THEMSELVES & ONE ANOTHER!!!! I HATE, I LOATHE CRACK COCAINE & THE ANNIHILATION IT BROUGHT! STAY STRONG MARLON, STAY FIGHTING!! PLEASE DON'T DIE IN ADDICTION!!😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤
Marlon definitely has talent. He is well-spoken, thoughtful, empathetic, introspective, and his poetry deserves to be in a book or a song. Marlon is amazing!
“I don’t qualify to judge anybody.” Right when he said that, I was glued to the screen. So we’ll spoken & aware. Incredibly talented with his words, presentation, etc. Marlon has so much potential. Marlon if you see this, know that this internet stranger is routing for you!
Amen. Never giving up hope because the good lord above can help us to change anything. We only need to put our foots forward and try our hardest to meet him halfway. And I believe this man has set forth to do so. I believe in you Marlon, you will make it. God bless....
He doesn’t hold what happened to him as a kid responsible for his using. He owns it. I can respect that. But at the end unfortunately he is still stuck. I wish him to get out. God bless him.
Agree! So many people blame their past for every single thing they do that damages themselves or others. We have a society that is so easy to blame others for their actions.
@@heykerryann You can’t get advertising unless you’re “family friendly.” Despite the fact that I can’t think of a more valuable educational tool for families.
I cried watching this interview. My brother struggles with crack addiction and has struggled for 15+ years. He reminds me so much of him and this made me see a different perspective for sure. I wish so much there was something I could do to change my brother's situation. I used to get so mad and lash out at him for not kicking the addiction. I had the "just stop doing it" mindset. I hate this drug so much. When he said he could be doing good for a month and then he will destroy it all...this happens multiple times a year for my brother. Marlon, thank you for this interview. My heart cried when you did. 💔
Marlon was so inspiring in letting us know how crack addiction has a very strong hold on a person Kids please don't let anyone influence you to do drugs these testimonials show how bad it will turn out for you Treat yourself better than that!
Sounds like he just wants his love ones to love and accept him no matter what... know his heart ... understand him... be by his side til the end... heartfelt sadness and pain... intelligence and sensitivity... Great interview... God bless.
I am 5 minutes into this and this man is so smart and articulate. Am I surprised? Absolutely not! My ex-husband was very much the same way but has been sober now 13 years....like a previous commenter said drug addiction is so cunning and deceitful!
Hi all, I'm a subscriber from Liverpool UK 🇬🇧. I find these uploads so addictive. All the people interviewed have such interesting life stories, not least so very sad childhoods. Mark, I think you're helping these people more than you realise. A listening ear, and getting years worth of demons off their chests. Not all hero's wear capes 💯👌🏻
Having been with an addict for years, it's not just the relapse that hurts us. It's knowing what, who and all actions during the relapse that affects us. The lies, the feeling that our loved one chose to use and disappear while using, that hurts. The missing money, it's just so darn painful. I do wish you all the best!!!!! You are WORTH it!!!!
His story is powerful, it shows his easy it is to find ourself so far removed from where we started. We can’t always blame our family , our trauma or our disappointments because in the end we have choices. I think he needs to understand that addiction isn’t something you just quit. You need help. And that’s ok. He spoke of his mother being tired… it requires him to become tired too.
Around the 13.00 mark that's the truth. I feel so sorry for this guy. He is speaking from the heart. When your down and out and need help how many friends come around then. In my case I had none.
Its such an eye opening experience, went through it myself. It made me a cold motherfucker for a minute, but eventually it gets old, and you forgive them and most importantly yourself. God bless
As someone who struggled with a meth addiction, I know how it is. I wasn't bad to the point of self destruction, thankfully, but I could tell that it was effecting the ones around me. I couldn't walk into a store without catching someone's eye. 2 years clean and now I have a wife and a kid and I still struggle. There's times I want to relapse but I sit back and look at how far I came and what I have now compared to what I had then. My women lost her Mom to an O.D. She didn't get to meet her grandson but I can tell my son when he's older how great she was when she was sober. No high is worth losing them. I hope you find yourself and overcome the addiction. God Bless you.
Well done u for getting clean,it's not easy,I'm 23yrs into active heroin addiction,(I'm lucky 2 own my own home&work in my family business so I can afford 2 pay 4 my habit,),getting clean&staying clean is very hard,💜peace,love&empathy🙏💜💕💜
@@fionarobins4958 I hope you find a way to greater freedom. Suboxone and Kratom have worked for me. I prefer Kratom because of fewer side effects, but it’s too expensive for me to stay on. I don’t have a goal to get off maintenance completely, at this point, cause I started using opiates legally, due to chronic pain, and wasn’t addicted til I lost my doctor (not for abuse reasons) and bought pills on the street so I wouldn’t lose my job. That was before we realized they have fentanyl in them and all that, and things progressed to where pills were too expensive…the usual story. I ended up losing my whole career and I never thought I’d end up doing dates again (I was turned out as a teen), but after a shoplifting bust, that soon followed. Suboxone saved me from having to generate all that money every day, so I could stabilize my life. That doctor moved, too, and that’s where Kratom came in. Later, I got another Suboxone doc. If I had even heard of Suboxone when I lost the first doctor, I could have skipped the whole mess! I think pain doctors purposely don’t tell you about that because they don’t want people going to the clinic and saying their doctor got them hooked on opiates. Either that or the addiction medicine specialty is so far removed from physiatry and other areas where they treat pain. In any case I i’m glad there’s more awareness now of these options. I wish that people knew Suboxone and Kratom cannot get a true opiate addict high. It’s just an aid in the struggle but it’s still a struggle. I’m not opposed to Methadone either. Anything that can free up your resources to not be living in the street is a way to start working on recovery. I sure hope you are able to find a better way for you. I know it’s not as simple as a program for everybody. I also, eventually, found a great IOP treatment program I couldn’t have done it without. Hope & blessings to you!
@@heidiho5179 Are you getting kratom from head shops or do you order online? What quantity do you buy in and how much do you consume in a day? Kratom is much more affordable if you order it in quantities like 250g, 500g or 1kg at once.
What beautiful poetry. The pain was so thick in his voice I felt it through the screen and it made me tear up. Sending all the love in the world your way Marlon.
Wow.. this man is amazing♡ Drugs are his Goliath.. if he could overcome them.. NOTHING could stop him.. he could be anything, a leader, a motivational speaker, he is so smart and articulate. Even after using all these years... his insight.. he speaks his truth.. I like him. There is still time Marlon♡♡ 💪
My friends and family are the only thing that truly matter to me in this life. Not some magic man in the sky whose going to - very conveniently 🙄 - be the answer to life's struggles.
Love you Marlon. You are lovable, you deserve unconditional love. Forgive yourself, love yourself. Most people don't go towards what will make them happy, but what is familiar. Very often what is familiar, is toxic.
My parents divorced when I was 3. So idk what it's like to have that kinda love. I can't even imagine how that feels. Then mom got married four more times; my dad three more times. I'm 48yrs old now; I'm not putting blame on anyone, I never have because down the years I've pieced my parents lives together & I see their hurt & struggles. I see why dad called me a no good piece of shit; that I'd never amount to nothing. His dad (my grandfather) committed suicide when my dad was only 12. I left my mom when I was 13 to live with my dad; that's when my life changed. Mom didn't drink or do drugs but dad did; I wasn't use to being in that life style. I went from a happy kid to surviving a drug infected world. The only time my dad ever told me he loved me was 2 hours before he was murdered in the streets. It's a long story. But the day I decided to move from one parent to the next, is the day the window of opportunity for a happy productive life all but closed. I didn't write this for pity. I wrote this to help answer that 1 question I see/hear a lot- "why do people do things like that?" This is not a complete answer. It's just a piece of a very complicated problem. In the end, "everyone's life starts in the home."
I was smoking Crack, using heroin, benzos and all kind of opiates for about 20 years and I really appreciate, what Mark is doing and let's people speak! And that he doesn't make some kind of freak show about it.. I often thought about that myself, when I was still using drugs, how to make people understand, what we were going through and how hard so many of us tried! Sorry for my weird english, is not my first language 🙏
Damn that was real talk. Especially the second half of the interview. It’s incredibly difficult to come clean and talk about your addiction and what it’s led you to, much less to sit in front of camera and do it. More power to you Marlon, I respect your openness and vulnerability.
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be” he said ,omg that is so fitting ! What a sad case , I have a friend that turned to crack and he has not stopped in 3 years .
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be”. I caught that reference as well 🤨. Although I feel compassion for his struggle, as a family member (especially with children) I wouldn’t take the risk of socializing with him in person. Safety.
Thank you, Mark. That was POWERFUL! I felt his anguish… Marlon speaks about disappointing others, I think it hurts more because he keeps disappointing himself. HBO are you tuned in? This is award winning documentary material.
its insane how good he looks for his age and his decades of addiction. never judge a book by its cover i guess. i hope and pray that he finds a way out of this.
Wow...I knew almost IMMEDIATELY that Marlon was a Christian. What a blessing he gave us with his testimony. I am praying that his hopes and dreams come true. God bless him.
Thank you Mark for a revisit Marlon. He reminds me of a friend from my old neighborhood. Who ended becoming sober at 29 & turned his life around. He ended having a great sober life. Marlon don't stop yourself from being successful. You can do it. Be a good son, love your mom extra for the days you screwed up. With alot of love comes commitment ,then with that you will start to finish what you start. You need to work on that, then emotional maturity will help you work on your addiction. I wish you all the best.💕🕊️
Superb Mark! This is one of your all time greats. Very, very intelligent, and very moving. Absolutely riveting and fascinating. Thank you so much. Its fascinating what; and how we can interpret and learn from these videos. Some of which take on a life of their own, and can 'take flight'. Like this one does - as a kind of testimonial. 🤲
Have you thought about structuring Soft White Underbelly as a non profit - funding rehibilitation, awareness etc. Throwing gallery shows and selling these portraits. With 2.2mm subscribers you have a network of support. Not sure how you have structured this mark, whether this is a completely solo project / pass through LLC etc. I always appreciate the stories shared on your channel.
Mark has a paid Patreon page. Few are willing to pay. He set up a GoFundMe, few were willing to donate. He is one man, who apparently sleeps very little. He has already done 15 years of helping. There are only so many hours in the day. There are AMPLE rehabs and resources of all kinds already. The person has to chose to get clean. Out of 3,000 people offered help, there are only a few success stories. This channel is to teach us and encourage us to spread the word. It is not to save the subject. That is up to them. Your intent is kind, just unworkable.
@@nukillerfridaymusic911 He does not make money of these interviews. He helps these people and pays them. Why would you post that when it’s not true! What do you do for help people in need? Strangers you don’t even know?
This is such a wonderful channel. I’ve always been interested in the untold stories of the outsiders of society so to hear them told and to give them a voice is just such a beautiful, humanizing thing. ❤️
God bless you, Marlon. I haven’t smoked an ounce of crack in my life, but I see so much on myself in you as a fellow human being. You are a beautiful person and a survivor of pain.
Brilliant spoken word but this dude is insightful and wise enough to know he has to give it up already. It's astounding how ever intelligent people can have such huge blind spots. He externalizes what he is doing with his life by saying, "I just need a little acceptance. It makes me want to be what they think I am" only to justify his actions. He clearly has moments of cognitive dissonance - he doesn't want to see the impact of his addiction on his loved ones.
I believe we all have a demon within us over one thing or another. One glutteny or another, But drugs are a very hard glutteny when we know that it is a passageway to evil. These are the things that make us enslaved in our lives.. I am the same age of this man, and I completely understand the ways of this world. God bless you brother, you know right from wrong, you will find the right path. Keep praying to the good Lord above. PEACE......
Dear Marlon,your a very special man who could help so,so,so many people,with what you've learnt thru your addiction,please try 2 get yourself straight,obviously firstly 4 yourself,&then your family&loved ones,but then 2 help other addicts that are suffering with nowhere 2 turn...peace,love&empathy from across the pond🇬🇧 🙏💜💕💜
The poetry at the end was touching …. Oh my goodness 😩❤️ I literally cried when you cried. Marlon you are a beautiful soul with a story to tell. I’m so happy you told yours
You're right Itty, Marlon looks handsome and healthy on the outside, but the thought patterns he vocalizes are completely self destructive, which he recognizes. Marlon, I hope you finds your way to a better life.
I’m getting real DMX vibes from Marlon. Sad that these drugs have been pumped into our communities and destroyed our families. Peace and blessings to you Marlon!
Mark...not only are you opening people's eyes to how the cycle grinds on through the generations. But these videos help many of us who watch. By making us grateful for every second of our sobriety. Because that could be me. That should be me, or my kids, or my grandkids. With every single video, I am aware of how blessed I am. So, thank you Mark. From the bottom of my heart. ❤🇨🇦❤🌈
One time with a “friend”= 20 years of addiction. Good one for kids to listen to.
Right before that he said he was getting drunk and snorting tons of powder every weekend. Seems the addiction began long before the "one time."
@@aaronm.3581 Crack will turn someone into a completely different person though. If you compare the two drugs you will see a whole different level of low and one that will hold on to you for the rest of your life. That’s the difference.
And it is that quick. So scary.
This man is conscious of his situation but yet so far gone. I hope he gets salvation. I wish you well Marlon. Stay fighting, you still got it.
Perfectly said.
This is mark most honest video that man has real issues with crack and very well aware of it and wants help bad I hope he gets clean
Read the Bible and ask God for help because evidently he can't do it on his own
his environment is his worse enemy, but mimics being his friend - similar to the RHCP song, 'Under the Bridge'.
I wouldn’t say he’s so far gone, but you can definitely see how cocaine leads to people who are too far gone to talk the way they do. It’s like you can see the racing thoughts going through his head but he still is kind of able to actually make sense of that.
Salvation? I hope he get clean.
The love of my life was very much like this man. He was so bright and so insightful.
I lost him in August last year, in part to his addiction.
He was such an amazing man, he never stopped trying to get back on his feet after falling. He was my best friend and I miss him every minute of every day.
He would get clean and build this amazing life and firm foundation for a year or two. He would be a pillar in the recovery community…other people looked up to him, he was so loved and respected….and then he would disappear and go on a binge. He would lose everything he had built in a matter of months.
I always kept my finances, career, and my home life separate from him for this reason. For 17 years he did this dance of insanity. It was difficult but I always loved him, albeit often from a distance.
I wish he saw in himself what I always saw in him, then he may still be here.
Addiction is cunning, it’s powerful and it’s baffling. It doesn’t discriminate. There are so many incredible human beings suffering from this disease.
So sorry for your loss 🙏🏻! Your words are absolutely beautiful 🥰🙏🏻🥰
I hope you find peace and healing. He was lucky to have your love 💕
My condolences. Addiction is a manipulative, sly beast. You can confide in it and run away from your problems in it but you can’t escape from it. So sorry. Hoping you’ll heal and forever keep his memory in your heart. Sending my love❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Thanks y’all.
He wasn’t a bad man at all, he just had a bad disease that is coupled with and exacerbated by bad choices. I was so lucky to be loved by him and I cherish the time we spent together when he was at his best.
I hope the man in this video finds some peace and serenity also. He is worth it.
I'm sorry 4 the pain u must be feeling losing the love of yr life 2 addiction💜
I'm 48yrs old& 23yrs into heroin addiction,I own my own home &work in my family business therefore I have always been able 2 pay 4 my addiction,so I don't have 2 steal,or sell my body or do any of the other terrible things we addicts do 2 fund their addiction...Thank u 4 being understanding,I can't imagine how hard it must be 2 love an addict...💜Peace,love&empathy....🙏💜💕💜
Crack is such a horrible drug that’s ruined so many amazing people. I’m praying for you Marlon you are so much more than your addiction.
Yes he is!!
YESSSSSSSSS!! SO MANY FUCKIN AMAZING FOLKS AFFECTED BY THIS BULLSHIT!!! I HATE THE MUTHAFUCKA THAT COOKED THE FIRST ROCK UP!! I KNOW THEY DID NOT KNOW THE DEVASTATION THIS DRUG WOULD/DOES BRING!! THAT'S Y I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DRUG WAS INVENTED BY THE DEVIL! IT'S TOTALLY DEMONIC IN EVERY WAY!! IT HAS DESTROYED FAMILIES, RELATIONSHIPS, JOBS, MONEY, ETC!! CAN U REALLY IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, LIVING LIFE, LOVING LIFE AND FRUITFUL?????!! CAN U IMAGINE HOW MUCH THE DEVASTATION HAS BECOME A "NORMALCY" FOR THOSE AFFECTED???! CAN U IMAGINE THE CHILDREN WHO'VE HAD TO LIVE THRU THE PERILS OF THIS ADDICTION & ADAPT TO WHAT IT BRINGS????! THIS DRUG WAS DESIGNED TO DESTROY BLACKS & LATINOS & ANY FUTURE OF THEM OR LACK THERE OF!! AIDS, CRACK COCAINE, POVERTY & THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN HAS BEEN A BATTLE SINCE I CAN RECALL!!! PRIOR TO CRACK COCAINE THERE WAS A SENSE OF PRIDE & DIGNITY POSSESSED BY THOSE OF COLOR, REGARDLESS OF THEIR MONETARY SITUATIONS! THE BLACK MAN FELT PRIDE & PRODUCED FOR HIS FAMILY & IN RETURN HE WAS THE KING OF LIFE ITSELF!! WHEN THE "WHITE MAN" FIGURED OUT AN INDEFINITE WAY TO CAUSE DESTRUCTION, HE POURED LIFE CHANGING DRUGS INTO IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY & WATCHED GENERATIONS DESTROY THEMSELVES & ONE ANOTHER!!!!
I HATE, I LOATHE CRACK COCAINE & THE ANNIHILATION IT BROUGHT! STAY STRONG MARLON, STAY FIGHTING!! PLEASE DON'T DIE IN ADDICTION!!😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤
Marlon definitely has talent. He is well-spoken, thoughtful, empathetic, introspective, and his poetry deserves to be in a book or a song. Marlon is amazing!
“I don’t qualify to judge anybody.”
Right when he said that, I was glued to the screen. So we’ll spoken & aware. Incredibly talented with his words, presentation, etc.
Marlon has so much potential. Marlon if you see this, know that this internet stranger is routing for you!
I agree... Great comment!!!
This man is crying out to God and I see that he is tired of his lifestyle and wants a change. I wish him many blessings.
Dont hold your breath.
@@nastybastardatlive Don't waste ur breath or thoughts with negativity. Be blessed luv.
Amen. Never giving up hope because the good lord above can help us to change anything. We only need to put our foots forward and try our hardest to meet him halfway. And I believe this man has set forth to do so. I believe in you Marlon, you will make it. God bless....
You people been waiting for your God for thousands of years lmaooo give it up. Grow up.
@@13MorningStar666 WOW....be very careful about the things you say and the way you think??? So GOD BLESS YOU!
Man that verse he was spitting was fire.
I wish we saw lyrics like that produced more often. There are people with real stories to tell!
It made me think of a DMX prayer for real.
@@heidiho5179 I totally agree my dude
He doesn’t hold what happened to him as a kid responsible for his using. He owns it. I can respect that. But at the end unfortunately he is still stuck. I wish him to get out. God bless him.
Agree! So many people blame their past for every single thing they do that damages themselves or others. We have a society that is so easy to blame others for their actions.
@@momof2boyswithautism blame is copium. understanding is seeing the intricacies of causes and effects
I like how Mark is transparent with how he used to feel about the people on skid row
2.2M subs and he acts like he’s broke from paying to interview people with little to no overhead. Mark spare me. Not all your viewers are 12.
@@heykerryann ridiculous, this is more of a philanthropic thing Mark does. Do your research, educate yourself before judging.
@@heykerryann he has stated that he does not get paid from TH-cam
@@heykerryann You can’t get advertising unless you’re “family friendly.” Despite the fact that I can’t think of a more valuable educational tool for families.
@@rolandorzabal1955 then we MUST believe him
He really needed to vent. I hope he finds help and cleans up. He’s a good one that the world could use.
💙💙💙
I cried watching this interview. My brother struggles with crack addiction and has struggled for 15+ years. He reminds me so much of him and this made me see a different perspective for sure. I wish so much there was something I could do to change my brother's situation. I used to get so mad and lash out at him for not kicking the addiction. I had the "just stop doing it" mindset. I hate this drug so much. When he said he could be doing good for a month and then he will destroy it all...this happens multiple times a year for my brother.
Marlon, thank you for this interview. My heart cried when you did. 💔
Marlon was so inspiring in letting us know how crack addiction has a very strong hold on a person
Kids please don't let anyone influence you to do drugs these testimonials show how bad it will turn out for you
Treat yourself better than that!
What a lovely man. Drugs suck. Sending prayers and hope.
Sounds like he just wants his love ones to love and accept
him no matter what... know his
heart ... understand him... be by his side til the end... heartfelt sadness and pain... intelligence and sensitivity...
Great interview... God bless.
I am 5 minutes into this and this man is so smart and articulate. Am I surprised? Absolutely not! My ex-husband was very much the same way but has been sober now 13 years....like a previous commenter said drug addiction is so cunning and deceitful!
19:57 That was beautiful raw and you're not crying alone Marlon. Best of luck to you 💜
Hi all, I'm a subscriber from Liverpool UK 🇬🇧. I find these uploads so addictive. All the people interviewed have such interesting life stories, not least so very sad childhoods. Mark, I think you're helping these people more than you realise. A listening ear, and getting years worth of demons off their chests. Not all hero's wear capes 💯👌🏻
💯〰️👋🏽〰️
Reminds me of my brother. He struggled deeply on this earth. Hopefully this wise man finds his strength. Keep fighting. You have lots to give
Same
Having been with an addict for years, it's not just the relapse that hurts us. It's knowing what, who and all actions during the relapse that affects us. The lies, the feeling that our loved one chose to use and disappear while using, that hurts. The missing money, it's just so darn painful. I do wish you all the best!!!!! You are WORTH it!!!!
His story is powerful, it shows his easy it is to find ourself so far removed from where we started. We can’t always blame our family , our trauma or our disappointments because in the end we have choices. I think he needs to understand that addiction isn’t something you just quit. You need help. And that’s ok. He spoke of his mother being tired… it requires him to become tired too.
facts.
Around the 13.00 mark that's the truth. I feel so sorry for this guy. He is speaking from the heart. When your down and out and need help how many friends come around then. In my case I had none.
Its such an eye opening experience, went through it myself. It made me a cold motherfucker for a minute, but eventually it gets old, and you forgive them and most importantly yourself. God bless
Same
There's a cost to making and keeping real friends.
There's something about a black man's tears. Keep fighting Marlon. Draw your strength from the support of this channel..
i don’t know if he was freestyling or he came prepared with the but he went crazy 😭💯
Sway45
As someone who struggled with a meth addiction, I know how it is. I wasn't bad to the point of self destruction, thankfully, but I could tell that it was effecting the ones around me. I couldn't walk into a store without catching someone's eye. 2 years clean and now I have a wife and a kid and I still struggle. There's times I want to relapse but I sit back and look at how far I came and what I have now compared to what I had then. My women lost her Mom to an O.D. She didn't get to meet her grandson but I can tell my son when he's older how great she was when she was sober. No high is worth losing them. I hope you find yourself and overcome the addiction. God Bless you.
❤
Mark is yoked. Love these interviews, just got clean and trying to find a reason to these are some motivation. Appreciate these so so so so much mark.
Well done u for getting clean,it's not easy,I'm 23yrs into active heroin addiction,(I'm lucky 2 own my own home&work in my family business so I can afford 2 pay 4 my habit,),getting clean&staying clean is very hard,💜peace,love&empathy🙏💜💕💜
@@fionarobins4958 I hope you find a way to greater freedom. Suboxone and Kratom have worked for me. I prefer Kratom because of fewer side effects, but it’s too expensive for me to stay on. I don’t have a goal to get off maintenance completely, at this point, cause I started using opiates legally, due to chronic pain, and wasn’t addicted til I lost my doctor (not for abuse reasons) and bought pills on the street so I wouldn’t lose my job. That was before we realized they have fentanyl in them and all that, and things progressed to where pills were too expensive…the usual story. I ended up losing my whole career and I never thought I’d end up doing dates again (I was turned out as a teen), but after a shoplifting bust, that soon followed. Suboxone saved me from having to generate all that money every day, so I could stabilize my life. That doctor moved, too, and that’s where Kratom came in. Later, I got another Suboxone doc. If I had even heard of Suboxone when I lost the first doctor, I could have skipped the whole mess! I think pain doctors purposely don’t tell you about that because they don’t want people going to the clinic and saying their doctor got them hooked on opiates. Either that or the addiction medicine specialty is so far removed from physiatry and other areas where they treat pain. In any case I i’m glad there’s more awareness now of these options. I wish that people knew Suboxone and Kratom cannot get a true opiate addict high. It’s just an aid in the struggle but it’s still a struggle. I’m not opposed to Methadone either. Anything that can free up your resources to not be living in the street is a way to start working on recovery. I sure hope you are able to find a better way for you. I know it’s not as simple as a program for everybody. I also, eventually, found a great IOP treatment program I couldn’t have done it without. Hope & blessings to you!
@@heidiho5179 Are you getting kratom from head shops or do you order online? What quantity do you buy in and how much do you consume in a day? Kratom is much more affordable if you order it in quantities like 250g, 500g or 1kg at once.
awesome! wish you the absolute best! 🙏🏽🙏🏽💜
@@fionarobins4958 shit u need a bf??? jkjk i dont wanna be clean but im giving it a try i guess kinda. i hope youre doing good.
The poem had me in tears. So beautiful
He reminds me of DMX. There is so much depth to his suffering and his gift. I pray he gets delivered from the pain and destructive desire ❤
Crack heads..
What beautiful poetry. The pain was so thick in his voice I felt it through the screen and it made me tear up. Sending all the love in the world your way Marlon.
The poem at the end did it for me!! My God… Marlon God is waiting for u to put your crown back on King❤️❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿
Wow.. this man is amazing♡
Drugs are his Goliath.. if he could overcome them.. NOTHING could stop him.. he could be anything, a leader, a motivational speaker, he is so smart and articulate. Even after using all these years... his insight.. he speaks his truth.. I like him.
There is still time Marlon♡♡ 💪
0:51 Let’s take a moment to appreciate the visual beauty of this.
Keeping seeking God my friend. He's the only thing that's worth anything in this life. Love you.
Thanks for this 😊
No truer words spoken.
My friends and family are the only thing that truly matter to me in this life.
Not some magic man in the sky whose going to - very conveniently 🙄 - be the answer to life's struggles.
🙌🏾🙏🏽
Love you Marlon. You are lovable, you deserve unconditional love. Forgive yourself, love yourself. Most people don't go towards what will make them happy, but what is familiar. Very often what is familiar, is toxic.
My parents divorced when I was 3. So idk what it's like to have that kinda love. I can't even imagine how that feels. Then mom got married four more times; my dad three more times. I'm 48yrs old now; I'm not putting blame on anyone, I never have because down the years I've pieced my parents lives together & I see their hurt & struggles. I see why dad called me a no good piece of shit; that I'd never amount to nothing. His dad (my grandfather) committed suicide when my dad was only 12. I left my mom when I was 13 to live with my dad; that's when my life changed. Mom didn't drink or do drugs but dad did; I wasn't use to being in that life style. I went from a happy kid to surviving a drug infected world. The only time my dad ever told me he loved me was 2 hours before he was murdered in the streets. It's a long story. But the day I decided to move from one parent to the next, is the day the window of opportunity for a happy productive life all but closed. I didn't write this for pity. I wrote this to help answer that 1 question I see/hear a lot- "why do people do things like that?" This is not a complete answer. It's just a piece of a very complicated problem. In the end, "everyone's life starts in the home."
Thank you very much for sharing. Yes, life starts in the home. I wish you the best❤
I was smoking Crack, using heroin, benzos and all kind of opiates for about 20 years and I really appreciate, what Mark is doing and let's people speak! And that he doesn't make some kind of freak show about it.. I often thought about that myself, when I was still using drugs, how to make people understand, what we were going through and how hard so many of us tried!
Sorry for my weird english, is not my first language 🙏
Do you still do drugs?
Well he just broke my heart this morning.......
Marlon, you can make it, healing strength and positive energy to you sir.
Marlon, call your Mom. One day you won't be able to. I'm only a few mins in. I never comment this early! 💜
This was beautiful & raw. Thank you Marlon for showing your beautiful vulnerability.
He has a good heart, the drug is just overpowering him, praying for him. Reminds me of my father 😥 addiction is a serious disease
Stay strong soldiers, The world needs you!!
Doing them drugs opening you up to demonic possession... this is literal. This guy is intelligent and understands
Yes! 💯
Damn that was real talk. Especially the second half of the interview. It’s incredibly difficult to come clean and talk about your addiction and what it’s led you to, much less to sit in front of camera and do it. More power to you Marlon, I respect your openness and vulnerability.
He knows how addiction really works
His soul is so raw. Loved listening to every word he said
Intelligent Black Man . Praying for health 🙏🏽
This was so good. I love him! This gave me chills
This was a great interview, thanks guys!
💜😁🤟
100😉
Marlon it's never to late to help yourself again because you are worth it!
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be” he said ,omg that is so fitting ! What a sad case , I have a friend that turned to crack and he has not stopped in 3 years .
Thought the same thing!
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be”. I caught that reference as well 🤨. Although I feel compassion for his struggle, as a family member (especially with children) I wouldn’t take the risk of socializing with him in person. Safety.
I caught that too. It’s definitely not!
Don’t cry Marlon it’s going to be alright, Lord Jesus shine in him and on him , become the water 💦 of life in this man
Soon as he said “ I don’t qualify to judge anybody” I gained major respect
Thank you, Mark. That was POWERFUL! I felt his anguish… Marlon speaks about disappointing others, I think it hurts more because he keeps disappointing himself. HBO are you tuned in? This is award winning documentary material.
its insane how good he looks for his age and his decades of addiction. never judge a book by its cover i guess. i hope and pray that he finds a way out of this.
That poem was great at the end…real interesting cat!
He speaks for all of us addicts...we do what we want not to do.
Most realest...absolute best description of addiction of all of Marks interviews..I get it...totally get it ..coming from an addict here.
💯👍
Wow...I knew almost IMMEDIATELY that Marlon was a Christian. What a blessing he gave us with his testimony. I am praying that his hopes and dreams come true. God bless him.
i hope he gets his shit together...life is better on the other side.luv the poetry
The wisdom of experience - great guy 🙏🏽
I always like the ones who do poetry. Bless him 🙏
Why owner of this channel never do poetry? You give money to wrong ones.
Reminds me of my dad he struggled with drugs my entire life and died struggling. I was actually relieved when he died because his struggle was over
Relieved that deep.... RIP 💕☯️
Your videos have taught me that everyone has a story, and taught me to have compassion for these people.
You can do it marlon!! We’re all rooting for you!!
Thank you Mark for a revisit Marlon. He reminds me of a friend from my old neighborhood. Who ended becoming sober at 29 & turned his life around. He ended having a great sober life. Marlon don't stop yourself from being successful. You can do it. Be a good son, love your mom extra for the days you screwed up. With alot of love comes commitment ,then with that you will start to finish what you start. You need to work on that, then emotional maturity will help you work on your addiction. I wish you all the best.💕🕊️
Superb Mark! This is one of your all time greats. Very, very intelligent, and very moving. Absolutely riveting and fascinating. Thank you so much. Its fascinating what; and how we can interpret and learn from these videos. Some of which take on a life of their own, and can 'take flight'. Like this one does - as a kind of testimonial. 🤲
Absolutely 💯
He’s a sweet man. I wish him all the best.
Have you thought about structuring Soft White Underbelly as a non profit - funding rehibilitation, awareness etc. Throwing gallery shows and selling these portraits. With 2.2mm subscribers you have a network of support. Not sure how you have structured this mark, whether this is a completely solo project / pass through LLC etc. I always appreciate the stories shared on your channel.
Mark has a paid Patreon page. Few are willing to pay. He set up a GoFundMe, few were willing to donate. He is one man, who apparently sleeps very little. He has already done 15 years of helping. There are only so many hours in the day. There are AMPLE rehabs and resources of all kinds already. The person has to chose to get clean. Out of 3,000 people offered help, there are only a few success stories. This channel is to teach us and encourage us to spread the word. It is not to save the subject. That is up to them. Your intent is kind, just unworkable.
he makes about a million Dollars a year from these people. They should all file a class action lawsuit for not giving sober consent.
I hope Mark will eventually get the recognition he deserves. He’s a true Angel. Day in and day out. He deserves all the good that will come his way!
@@nukillerfridaymusic911 He does not make money of these interviews. He helps these people and pays them. Why would you post that when it’s not true! What do you do for help people in need? Strangers you don’t even know?
His rap/poetry bought me to tears. I understand the struggle he’s going thru. I felt this one. ❤️❤️❤️
Mark we need part 2 please! I wanna hear more
Very interesting and wide range interview. I would like to here or see and update on Marlon, in a couple of weeks.
Me too
Perhaps a year - he’s got potential to overcome ..
I Relate with guys so much, I wish him all the best - you can do it Marlon, just never give up!
This is such a wonderful channel. I’ve always been interested in the untold stories of the outsiders of society so to hear them told and to give them a voice is just such a beautiful, humanizing thing. ❤️
You are loved Marlon.
The saddest part is he referred to his addiction as a career. Tortured soul 💔
This was so powerful! The poem was beautiful
God bless you, Marlon. I haven’t smoked an ounce of crack in my life, but I see so much on myself in you as a fellow human being. You are a beautiful person and a survivor of pain.
Hang in there, Marlon. You still have a future my friend.
Wonderful interview - my spirit has been uplifted.
Brilliant spoken word but this dude is insightful and wise enough to know he has to give it up already. It's astounding how ever intelligent people can have such huge blind spots. He externalizes what he is doing with his life by saying, "I just need a little acceptance. It makes me want to be what they think I am" only to justify his actions. He clearly has moments of cognitive dissonance - he doesn't want to see the impact of his addiction on his loved ones.
Great, great interview.
The best one I've seen so far
I believe we all have a demon within us over one thing or another. One glutteny or another, But drugs are a very hard glutteny when we know that it is a passageway to evil. These are the things that make us enslaved in our lives.. I am the same age of this man, and I completely understand the ways of this world. God bless you brother, you know right from wrong, you will find the right path. Keep praying to the good Lord above.
PEACE......
Amen. 🙏✝💖
Yes i do
Really liked this interview. He's very aware of what he's doing. I hope he finds the strength through God to finally put the pipe down.
I wish you the best Marlon. This was a good interview.
Dear Marlon,your a very special man who could help so,so,so many people,with what you've learnt thru your addiction,please try 2 get yourself straight,obviously firstly 4 yourself,&then your family&loved ones,but then 2 help other addicts that are suffering with nowhere 2 turn...peace,love&empathy from across the pond🇬🇧 🙏💜💕💜
The poetry at the end was touching …. Oh my goodness 😩❤️ I literally cried when you cried. Marlon you are a beautiful soul with a story to tell. I’m so happy you told yours
This guy sounds intelligent. I pray he gets sober.
He's a good man. I love him.
Marlon ask some really good questions. Never underestimate an addict n try not to treat them bad cause their human beings fighting a tough battle...
He’s very wise, I agree with everything he said. I wish him success.
I felt this in my heart. I hope this man is successful at leaving it alone. Speak brother.
He still looks good for his age though. You honestly couldn't tell he's an addict by looking at him
You're right Itty, Marlon looks handsome and healthy on the outside, but the thought patterns he vocalizes are completely self destructive, which he recognizes. Marlon, I hope you finds your way to a better life.
Crack does not ravage people's body or mind nearly as much as people think. It's a bit of a misnomer.
@@aaronm.3581 the crackheads I see are ravaged and torn down. I will agree functional addicts don’t look too bad.
How about interviewing a food addict?
Great interview! Marlon, when you do decide to cease and desist, do it for YOU. It's trying to cover up your inate talents...let your light shine🙏💛🙏
I noticed there's not much commercials on these, so it seems plausible Mark's not making money on these.
I really like this guy… super smart and loving. So deep… all addicts are amazing people. Their brains are incredible
I’m getting real DMX vibes from Marlon. Sad that these drugs have been pumped into our communities and destroyed our families. Peace and blessings to you Marlon!
When he cried , I cried . I hope he gets out of this life. 🙏
Help ,he makes me cry ,,, sorry 😞 he need that change.
I cried for Amanda. Today I cried for him
Mark...not only are you opening people's eyes to how the cycle grinds on through the generations. But these videos help many of us who watch. By making us grateful for every second of our sobriety. Because that could be me. That should be me, or my kids, or my grandkids.
With every single video, I am aware of how blessed I am.
So, thank you Mark. From the bottom of my heart.
❤🇨🇦❤🌈