Improbable Players talk of substance abuse dangers at LMS

Published December 12, 2018

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Seventh and eighth grade students were given a crash course in the dangers of substance abuse while watching a performance by the Improbable Players on Dec. 7.

The Improbable Players use theater performances and workshops in order to raise awareness about the negative affect of substance abuse. Lahey Health and A Healthy Lynnfield sponsored the performance.

Actors Christian Santilli, Meghann Perry, Zac Stone and Ryan Beard used their past experiences battling alcohol and drugs in order to illustrate the damage substance abuse causes people and their families.

The troupe began the performance with a couple of short skits about drinking and vaping before undertaking a 30-minute play. The play was about a family who is coping with a mother’s addiction to alcohol and prescription medication, which results in a downward spiral that leaves the family reeling.

After the play concluded, the actors shared their stories with students. Santilli said he is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He started experimenting with alcohol and marijuana when he was 13.

“I loved it because it quieted my mind and it gave me a sense that I didn’t have to listen or be a part of what was going on around me,” said Santilli. “I somehow made it to college and that’s where my drinking really took off. By the time I graduated from college, I was a full-blown alcoholic. I was drinking every day and was throwing my life away. It wasn’t until about a year and nine months ago that my mother called me and asked if I wanted to go to rehab. I decided to say yes because I had enough. I was tired of waking up feeling like death every single day. It’s been one of the best things that have ever happened to me.”

Perry said she suffered from anxiety and depression while in middle school, and said she was “really uncomfortable” in her own skin.

“I wanted to feel different and I found pot and alcohol made me feel different,” said Perry. “What I didn’t know was I had a disease called addiction. While my friends could take it or leave it, I couldn’t. I just chased it, chased it and chased it. When I was in college, I was introduced to harder drugs like heroin and crack cocaine that just took over my life completely. I lost everything that I cared about.”

Perry said she was in and out of homeless shelters and prison. She overdosed multiple times and ended up losing custody of her daughter.

“It wasn’t until quite a few years later when I was sitting in a another jail cell and I was feeling really broken that I finally accepted the help that had been offered to me many times before,” said Perry. “I started working on my recovering by going to meetings, treatment and therapy. In a couple of weeks, I will celebrate seven years in recovery and I have custody of my daughter back. I have a really cool life and the best thing is my depression and anxiety are manageable today. I feel really comfortable in my own skin, and that has been a huge gift.”

Stone said he started experimenting with alcohol and marijuana while in middle school.

“When I got to high school, it became my number one priority,” said Stone. “Everything that I had that was a goal before that whether it was creative arts or sports just fell by the wayside. When I got to college, it was all bets are off. I was just cooped up in my room drinking and smoking. By the time I was 21, I graduated up to harder drugs like pills. It was becoming more and more expensive, and I kept doing crummy things to get the drugs. I was arrested at 22 and was very close to being sent to prison, but I was sent to a treatment center instead. I had tried treatment a few times before that, but this time I was in a place that was extremely supportive. I listened to them and did what they did. That was almost nine years ago.”

While Beard said he didn’t drink much in high school, he started drinking more in college because he suffered from anxiety and depression.

“I was self-medicating,” said Beard. “I started drinking more and going to parties. I started smoking weed and abusing prescription pills that I got from my doctor. I was drinking night after night and was getting blackout drunk. This went on for many years. My grades plummeted and I wasted thousands of dollars. I ruined relationships. I eventually went into a rehab program, and got clean and sober. That was four-years ago. Life is a lot better.”

Q&A

After the actors finished telling their stories, they participated in a question-and-answer session with students.

A girl asked the troupe how their friends helped them during the recovery process.

Perry said she “didn’t have any friends in the end because I hurt them all and burned bridges.”

“I started from scratch in recovery,” said Perry. “I think one of the most important pieces for me was connecting with other people who had already done what I was trying to do at that time. I made all new friends in recovery. They understand what I am going through and listen when I need to share what is going on with me. They have stood by me through everything and tell me the truth, which sometimes I don’t want to hear.”

Another girl inquired if the actors have ever been tempted to start using alcohol and drugs again.

“Yes and no,” said Santilli. “This is the hardest and easiest thing I have ever done. It is ridiculously hard because I find it hard to be in my own mind a lot of the time, and alcohol and drugs take me out of that. But I find it easy because I don’t wake up feeling terrible every single day. By the end, I woke up every day and I swore I was not going to drink that day. But by noon or 2 p.m., I had sworn off that promise. Are there temptations? Yes because liquor is everywhere and it’s an easy way out. But the thing that makes it easy in some ways is I have repaired relationships with my mother, sisters and brothers. I have a better life. I was doing nothing when I was drinking.”

A student asked how the actors have coped with stress.

Stone said he used alcohol and drugs as a “coping mechanism.” Since he became sober, Stone has learned a variety of different skills such as breathing or talking in order to cope with stress.

“Pretty much anything is healthier than drugs and alcohol when you are experiencing stress,” said Stone. “There is always an outlet.”

In response to a question from a girl, Perry said she lost all of her jobs due to her struggles with addiction.

“In recovery, I have had some amazing jobs,” said Perry. “I love work. I am respected at my jobs. That means a lot to me.”

The troupe also asked the students if they know somebody who has a problem with alcohol and drugs. A number of students raised their hands.

“That is why we come out and share our experiences,” said Stone. “This affects everybody.”

After the Q&A ended, the Improbable Players were given a round of applause. Additionally, the troupe invited students who didn’t have the ability to ask a question to come up and ask it in person. A number of students took advantage of that opportunity.