Get Off - Chapter Ten - Roger

Get Off - Butcher's Bill

BUTCHER’S BILL Roger Teague was 42 when he died of AIDS in 1990. Emily Remler was 32 when she died of heart failure in 1990. Jay Murphy was 43 when he died of a heroin overdose in 1998. Eva Kemeny Rausing was 48 when she died of a cocaine overdose in 2012.

Get Off - Chapter Twelve - Peggy Sue

I may not have had AIDS, but I looked and felt like I had something bad. I had no energy, and could barely get myself together each morning to get my dose of methadone and sit through an hour of therapy. I’d crash as soon as I got home and sleep most of the day. I slowly started to feel stronger, and started going to movies during the day.

Get Off - Chapter Eleven - Down

I completed my two weeks in the Breakthrough Program, which was an accomplishment in itself; I hadn’t actually finished anything in years. I spent some more time with Roger, and became more comfortable around him.

Get Off - Chapter Ten - Roger

I stayed clean for almost 90 days after I left the hospital, purely out of spite. I went to NA meetings every day and avoided all the places that might make me use again. I think Laverne felt guilty about what had happened with Vinnie, because he offered to act as my temporary sponsor and put me under his wing.

Get Off - Chapter Nine - Gracie Square

I needed time to figure out my next move, but a dope habit doesn’t afford a junkie the luxury of time. I couldn’t handle working at another club, or going out on the road, and I felt unmotivated and unmoored.