Comments on: Review Of Ben: Diary of a heroin addict http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/ All The Latest TV Gossip, News, Episode Updates and Spoilers From Your Favourite Soaps, Sitcoms and Primetime Shows. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:36:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Winifred Knight http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-13750 Winifred Knight Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:56:55 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-13750 Watching Ben going through the devastation of his addiction was the saddest thing, right in our midst, I have ever seen. His mother, in particular, must have experienced every human emotion it is possible to feel. His poor, gentle, father would have died heartbroken. His whole family have been extremely brave and honest to allow this video to be shown. It should be shown in every secondary school in GB - surely no-one would ever want to go through what this family, and other, have gone through for the sake of a 'high'. Watching Ben going through the devastation of his addiction was the saddest thing, right in our midst, I have ever seen. His mother, in particular, must have experienced every human emotion it is possible to feel. His poor, gentle, father would have died heartbroken. His whole family have been extremely brave and honest to allow this video to be shown. It should be shown in every secondary school in GB – surely no-one would ever want to go through what this family, and other, have gone through for the sake of a ‘high’.

]]> By: Georgie Robertson http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-13647 Georgie Robertson Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:21:05 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-13647 I thought this programme was an open, honest insight into the half life of an addict. I have never come across the addiction in anyone i know, and i will freely admit i cried all the way through. Not from pity, but because i felt for such a strong, supportive family and the hell they lived in for so many years. Ben showed us how this drug can make you into a passenger in your own life, as they user takes you over. He showed us how it is to watch yourself doing these things, knowing that every time you inject you are killing yourself a little, but being completely unable to stop. How powerless you must feel, how useless to be so reliant on a chemical. I found it terribly sad to view this young man, who so easily could have became someone else and what a waste of potential, and a waste of a life. I admire the bravery shown by the entire family, and it was harrowing to think it so easily could be anyone. It could have been MY brother dying. And i think that is why it is so hard to watch, because the sad fact is these days drug addiction is just around the corner. A wonderful piece of filmaking. I thought this programme was an open, honest insight into the half life of an addict. I have never come across the addiction in anyone i know, and i will freely admit i cried all the way through. Not from pity, but because i felt for such a strong, supportive family and the hell they lived in for so many years. Ben showed us how this drug can make you into a passenger in your own life, as they user takes you over. He showed us how it is to watch yourself doing these things, knowing that every time you inject you are killing yourself a little, but being completely unable to stop. How powerless you must feel, how useless to be so reliant on a chemical. I found it terribly sad to view this young man, who so easily could have became someone else and what a waste of potential, and a waste of a life. I admire the bravery shown by the entire family, and it was harrowing to think it so easily could be anyone. It could have been MY brother dying. And i think that is why it is so hard to watch, because the sad fact is these days drug addiction is just around the corner. A wonderful piece of filmaking.

]]> By: mel http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-8117 mel Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:05:29 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-8117 TO BENS MUM, and anyone else who has been through it, i have just watched the programme and was in tears, my brother in law has been on heroin for about 10 years now and i have done everything i can to help him, and i care deeply about him, but i know there is nothing else i can do. I too hope that like Bens Mum that somehow he will hit the bottom and come back up,however i am struggling to see that happen. All people think is smack head, but there is so much more to him than that,however you only really see the other side to him upon his release from prison, and that hurts me. I care for him more than if he were my own brother, and seeing this programme moved me deeply, so i want to say thankyou so much for sharing this with us, ok it probably won't help the generation already using, but maybe can save some of the up and coming adults from falling in the same traps too xxxxx TO BENS MUM, and anyone else who has been through it, i have just watched the programme and was in tears, my brother in law has been on heroin for about 10 years now and i have done everything i can to help him, and i care deeply about him, but i know there is nothing else i can do. I too hope that like Bens Mum that somehow he will hit the bottom and come back up,however i am struggling to see that happen. All people think is smack head, but there is so much more to him than that,however you only really see the other side to him upon his release from prison, and that hurts me. I care for him more than if he were my own brother, and seeing this programme moved me deeply, so i want to say thankyou so much for sharing this with us, ok it probably won’t help the generation already using, but maybe can save some of the up and coming adults from falling in the same traps too xxxxx

]]> By: barbara http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-8063 barbara Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:36:56 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-8063 i watched ben and thought i would cry all the way through, as it was so harrowing. Instead I watched it, with my mouth open, and felt totally numb at the end... it took all my emotions away as I went the journey with Ben and his beautiful family. I am in recovery from Bulimia and Alcohol Abuse and could see that look in Ben's eyes when he was so far gone, so familiar and so telling. He was a beautiful human being and I just felt so so sad for everyone - mostly for his wonderful Mum who never lost faith in him and a father who adored him beyond anything - who lost his own fight for life - I think Ben was very, very lucky to have amazing people around him who never stopped believing. What a waste and what a powerful film. I will never forget Ben or his family - my thoughts go out to you all and hope that this film will touch even one drug addict out there, to show them that life really IS worth living. i watched ben and thought i would cry all the way through, as it was so harrowing. Instead I watched it, with my mouth open, and felt totally numb at the end… it took all my emotions away as I went the journey with Ben and his beautiful family. I am in recovery from Bulimia and Alcohol Abuse and could see that look in Ben’s eyes when he was so far gone, so familiar and so telling. He was a beautiful human being and I just felt so so sad for everyone – mostly for his wonderful Mum who never lost faith in him and a father who adored him beyond anything – who lost his own fight for life – I think Ben was very, very lucky to have amazing people around him who never stopped believing. What a waste and what a powerful film. I will never forget Ben or his family – my thoughts go out to you all and hope that this film will touch even one drug addict out there, to show them that life really IS worth living.

]]> By: Caroline http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-7968 Caroline Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:06:15 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-7968 OH MY GOD.BENS STORY WAS A MIRROR IMAGE OF MY LITTLE BROTHER WHO WE LOST TO HEROIN 4 YRS AGO.BEN WAS A GENTLEMAN AS MY BROTHER WAS.ONLY THING THAT DIFFERED THEM THAS THAT MY BROTHER HUNG HIMSELF.HE HATED WHAT THE DEMON HEROIN HAD DONE TO HIM AND HOW IT AFFECTED HIS FAMILY AND SON AND FRIENDS.HE WAS SUCH A GENTLE SOUL,BUT LOST HIS SOUL TO THE DRUG AS HE WOULD TELL YOU.MY GOD I COULD WRITE A BOOK.I WATCHED HIM GO FROM A BRIGHT YOUNG LAD TO A BROKEN SOUL.I'M A MENTAL HEALTH WORKER'ANSD SEE WHAT EFFECT IT HAS ON THIS GENEATION.SO MANY BROKEN HEARTS THAT CAN NEVER BE HEALED.I WATCHED HIM HANG FROM A TREE FOR 2 HRS BEFORE THEY TOOK HIM DOWN.I WAS ON MY KNEES BEGGING ;PLEASE THIS ISN'T HAPPENING.BUT IT WAS AND DID.I COULD WRITE A BOOK.MY HEARTFELT SORRY TO ALL WHO KNEW AND LOVED BEN.GOD BLESS THEM ALL.BENS IN HEAVEN NOW,JUST AS MY BROTHER IS.AS THIS WAS A HELL ON THIS EARTH THAT THEY HAD TO ENDURE.MY GOD'WHERE'S THE GOVERMENTS HELP ON REHAB CENTRES ETC TO HELP PEOPLE LIKE MY BROTHER AND BEN AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.OH SURE! YOU GO VISIT THE DOCTOR.TOLD TO WAIT MONTHS ON A WAITING LIST BEFORE ANY KIND OF HELP IS GIVEN.WAS TOO LATE FOR MY BROTHER.WORSE THING AF ALL IS THAT MY BROTHER WAS OFF HEROIN FOR 3 WEEKS,THEN KILLED HIMSELF.SOO SAD.DEMON HEROIN CHASE HAD WON.SORRY I CANT SAY ANYMORE.HEARTBROKEN I AM. OH MY GOD.BENS STORY WAS A MIRROR IMAGE OF MY LITTLE BROTHER WHO WE LOST TO HEROIN 4 YRS AGO.BEN WAS A GENTLEMAN AS MY BROTHER WAS.ONLY THING THAT DIFFERED THEM THAS THAT MY BROTHER HUNG HIMSELF.HE HATED WHAT THE DEMON HEROIN HAD DONE TO HIM AND HOW IT AFFECTED HIS FAMILY AND SON AND FRIENDS.HE WAS SUCH A GENTLE SOUL,BUT LOST HIS SOUL TO THE DRUG AS HE WOULD TELL YOU.MY GOD I COULD WRITE A BOOK.I WATCHED HIM GO FROM A BRIGHT YOUNG LAD TO A BROKEN SOUL.I’M A MENTAL HEALTH WORKER’ANSD SEE WHAT EFFECT IT HAS ON THIS GENEATION.SO MANY BROKEN HEARTS THAT CAN NEVER BE HEALED.I WATCHED HIM HANG FROM A TREE FOR 2 HRS BEFORE THEY TOOK HIM DOWN.I WAS ON MY KNEES BEGGING ;PLEASE THIS ISN’T HAPPENING.BUT IT WAS AND DID.I COULD WRITE A BOOK.MY HEARTFELT SORRY TO ALL WHO KNEW AND LOVED BEN.GOD BLESS THEM ALL.BENS IN HEAVEN NOW,JUST AS MY BROTHER IS.AS THIS WAS A HELL ON THIS EARTH THAT THEY HAD TO ENDURE.MY GOD’WHERE’S THE GOVERMENTS HELP ON REHAB CENTRES ETC TO HELP PEOPLE LIKE MY BROTHER AND BEN AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.OH SURE! YOU GO VISIT THE DOCTOR.TOLD TO WAIT MONTHS ON A WAITING LIST BEFORE ANY KIND OF HELP IS GIVEN.WAS TOO LATE FOR MY BROTHER.WORSE THING AF ALL IS THAT MY BROTHER WAS OFF HEROIN FOR 3 WEEKS,THEN KILLED HIMSELF.SOO SAD.DEMON HEROIN CHASE HAD WON.SORRY I CANT SAY ANYMORE.HEARTBROKEN I AM.

]]> By: Heather Ellington http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-7954 Heather Ellington Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:26:52 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-7954 I watched Ben's story with a mixture of sympathy and horror, seeing him driving after injecting drugs was horrifying I couldn't even watch as he injected the drugs into his groin, it was heart wrenching to watch the agony of his obviously loving family and to hear Ben's obvious need to have their affirmation that they still loved him even after all he had put them through. I sobbed at the end for both Ben and his lovely Dad who I hope are both at peace. I watched Ben’s story with a mixture of sympathy and horror, seeing him driving after injecting drugs was horrifying I couldn’t even watch as he injected the drugs into his groin, it was heart wrenching to watch the agony of his obviously loving family and to hear Ben’s obvious need to have their affirmation that they still loved him even after all he had put them through. I sobbed at the end for both Ben and his lovely Dad who I hope are both at peace.

]]> By: Whingers and moaners and sad little people in general - Page 4 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-7950 Whingers and moaners and sad little people in general - Page 4 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:08:20 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-7950 [...] then please watch Beniary of a heroin addict. If you aren't a fan of the Murdoch corporation Review Of Ben: Diary of a heroin addict @ Unreality Primetime http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...in-Addict.html Don't think it is simple as just stopping [...] [...] then please watch Beniary of a heroin addict. If you aren’t a fan of the Murdoch corporation Review Of Ben: Diary of a heroin addict @ Unreality Primetime http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t…in-Addict.html Don’t think it is simple as just stopping [...]

]]> By: Dawn http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-7933 Dawn Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:30:46 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-7933 I just wanted to say to you that i think you and your family are amazing, I watched the film Sunday and Monday because i found it so moving. My brother and is a herion addict and my dad has struggled most of his life with issues with various drugs including herion it is hard to believe how much it has changed and damaged them. I found your families responce to Ben really insiring as i do find myself getting angry at them and their behaviour. Ben seemed such a sweet man and i am so so sorry for your loss i could not stop crying at the end when he died in rehab it is such a sad story. I think you have been incredibly brave to put this out there and everyone i have spoken to who saw it has found it has challeged their opinions, and views which is brilliant. For me it really struck a cord so thankyou it has helped me realise there are other families who go through this and struggle with the same issues, I empathise so much with your loss XX I just wanted to say to you that i think you and your family are amazing, I watched the film Sunday and Monday because i found it so moving. My brother and is a herion addict and my dad has struggled most of his life with issues with various drugs including herion it is hard to believe how much it has changed and damaged them. I found your families responce to Ben really insiring as i do find myself getting angry at them and their behaviour. Ben seemed such a sweet man and i am so so sorry for your loss i could not stop crying at the end when he died in rehab it is such a sad story. I think you have been incredibly brave to put this out there and everyone i have spoken to who saw it has found it has challeged their opinions, and views which is brilliant. For me it really struck a cord so thankyou it has helped me realise there are other families who go through this and struggle with the same issues, I empathise so much with your loss XX

]]> By: stan http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-7924 stan Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:19:13 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-7924 I think this story should go far further than just a hard hitting film that it was, I think this should be used as a part of education and showed in secondary schools, I don’t think there would be any better deterrent than watching this film. I can never understand the pain Ben and all the people around him felt as I have never been in this situation but watching his story has given me a much better insight into the suffering it causes so many people. I really hope Bens tragic story is used to some good effect. I think this story should go far further than just a hard hitting film that it was,
I think this should be used as a part of education and showed in secondary schools,
I don’t think there would be any better deterrent than watching this film. I can never
understand the pain Ben and all the people around him felt as I have never been in this
situation but watching his story has given me a much better insight into the suffering it
causes so many people. I really hope Bens tragic story is used to some good effect.

]]> By: Lynn http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/review-of-ben-diary-of-a-heroin-addict/comment-page-1/#comment-7923 Lynn Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:01:58 +0000 http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/?p=7158#comment-7923 Jonny, I agree entirely and what I didn't previously mention in my article or in my reply to Anne was that my brother in law died of a heroin overdose when he was just 27. He'd kicked the addiction for years, had become a very religious young man and was searching for his place in life when he tried it just one more time and sadly, that time killed him. He changed my view of heroin addicts but had I not known him, I too would have had the opinion that addicts are not to be pitied or helped however on seeing this documentary, my opinion would have changed. Isn't it great though that Ben and his family opened their lives to us and I truly believe it will do a great deal of good. And for you, it clearly already has. Thanks for your comment Lynn Jonny, I agree entirely and what I didn’t previously mention in my article or in my reply to Anne was that my brother in law died of a heroin overdose when he was just 27. He’d kicked the addiction for years, had become a very religious young man and was searching for his place in life when he tried it just one more time and sadly, that time killed him.

He changed my view of heroin addicts but had I not known him, I too would have had the opinion that addicts are not to be pitied or helped however on seeing this documentary, my opinion would have changed.

Isn’t it great though that Ben and his family opened their lives to us and I truly believe it will do a great deal of good. And for you, it clearly already has.

Thanks for your comment
Lynn

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