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Michael “Monster” Brandon’s Meth Addiction Exposed
October 2, 2008 | 19 Comments
An article published this week in the SF Weekly is titled “The Rise and Fall of the Monster,” by Ashley Harrell. It covers in some detail the meth addiction and recent drug arrest of Michael “Monster” Brandon. His harrowing downward spiral into depravity is laid out in full color, and it is an ugly tale. But for those who know Mr. Brandon as a friend, it was a dispiriting read to the point of utter depression. A friend forwarded the SFWeekly.com link yesterday morning, and I sat on it all day, mulling how I wanted to write about it. I’ve suspected something was up for a long time; we even did a story last April about his disappearance from the porn scene (CLICK HERE). Right now, Mr. Brandon is presumably stewing in jail, or he’s sitting somewhere in a fleabag motel shooting up. CLICK HERE for more details…
“Aside from a reporter, nobody seemed to suspect this man might be a beloved San Franciscan gay porn icon with a 10-inch cock nicknamed Monster and a line of dildos created in its likeness,” the reporter writes of Mr. Brandon’s recent court appearance. “This guy now looked like a withered character in a Tim Burton film, nothing like the wiry blond stud who twice took home the highest honor in gay porn, the GAYVN Performer of the Year. It was conceivable that this wasn’t the man at all.”
He had been “motel surfing,” binging and selling, when he was initially arrested in June and charged with three felonies for selling meth, speed and Ecstasy. Police acted on information provided by an informant.
On September 26, Mr. Brandon was nabbed again on a new possession charge at the San Francisco courthouse, just prior to a hearing for the June arrest. He could face up to four felony charges. “It sucks. It sucks being where I’m at,” he told a reporter. “Looking in the mirror, I tell myself, ‘Just put the needle down. Walk away and walk over to [boyfriend] Marcos [Monzon].’ It doesn’t happen.”
I just don’t know what to say: I’m disappointed; I’m worried. Mr. Brandon for a time was a staunch anti-drug advocate and he made it a point to talk about his sobriety. We’ve shared many lunches and breakfasts since his return to the biz about eight years ago, and inevitably talk would turn to drug addiction and self-esteem in the gay community.
“In the ’90s club scene, particularly the gay club scene, crystal meth was considered glamorous, and its dangers were somewhat unknown. For many, it held the promise of hot, long-lasting, intimate sex; plenty in the gay porn industry partook of the drug in their off time,” the article reads. “Early this decade, it finally became clear that meth was highly addictive and could suck away years of people’s lives, devastating minds and bodies. Enchantment with the drug was replaced with revulsion, and the state of California and San Francisco’s Department of Health began funding public awareness campaigns such as ‘Hot Sex Without Crystal? Hell Yes!‘
Michael Brandon knows that ad campaign well ‚Äî he was its spokesman. After his initial recovery, he became a powerful and prominent example of how meth could be beaten, and he spoke often about his desire to save others from the despair and darkness he had known. But even with eight years in recovery, a luminous career in porn, and the adoration of those who knew him, Michael Brandon couldn’t save himself.”
His own statements appear to indicate Mr. Brandon isn’t trying to kick his habits. I hate where this seems to be going.
SFWeekly.com: “The Rise & Fall of the Monster“
Comments
19 Comments so far
I was depressed for hours after reading the article. I came away from it thinking the guy’s only possible route to recovery at this point is a long jail term. He seems utterly unable and unwilling to help himself or to accept help from others on the outside. But he maintained a long period of sobriety before, and he can do it again if simply denied access to the drug.
Damn. I was hoping this rumor wasn’t true. After he injured his back picking up cat toys, I was afraid his drug addiction might return when he said he was taking pain medication. I hate that Michael has to go through this again. Back when I sent him fan letters, he was very nice to me. And he even helped me during a low point in my life. I hope he gets better soon.
That last post was from me. I was so upset that I forgot to include my name.
Its a thought provoking article which at times I felt a crying shame. He had so much, and really still has going for him in looks and talent, but at times the road forward seems untenable.
He has a boyfriend and others that will rally round but its his own constitution that can only win. He must and will do it!
Its a thought provoking article which at times I felt a crying shame. He had so much, and really still has going for him in looks and talent, but at times the road forward seems untenable.
He has a boyfriend and others that will rally round but its his own constitution that can only win. He must and will do it!
Michael is a very sweet man. I wish him all the best.
JC is right, that’s a fucking depressing story. All too common in the gay community. Michael Brandon is lucky he isn’t dead yet. I hope he finds the help he needs ASAP.
Alright at first I was Angry that you posted this JC,,then I calmed down and read it.
Yes the rumors and whispers have been going around and you DESPERATELY hope they are not true.
I am sad and as a former user myself I can only hope Michael can be helped,,,
but i had some relapses too along the way.
Meth is the worst danger we face in the Gay community, not Aids haven’t you heard they have pills for that!
Goddamm it what do they have for Meth addiction!
Wolf, Michael is a sweet man who unfortunately has a monster on his back that is sucking the life right out of him.
Will, prison won’t do a goddammed thing for Michael or ANY drug addict its why we have the Western Worlds HIGHEST PRISON population.
We need forced drug treatment centers for the average drug user not the damn Brittany Spears with their fat bank accounts!
You think Michael can afford Betty Ford?
If your rich you get treatment in a Celeb detox center!
If your middle class or poor you get prison
which solves nothing! For the amount of money we spend on imprisoning drug addicts in California we could treat them all in private clinics!
Decriminalize drugs and treat ADDICTION as a Public Health Emergency!
But this is America we dont do squat about anything!
DeWayne, you may think prison is no answer, but he was able to kick the drug for a long time after his earlier three-year prison sentence. I don’t like the enforced prison sentences for drug users either, but for someone in his situation it could be a godsend.
Will we would not send someone who is sick or ill to prison would we?
Prisons are horrific dens of hate,degradation and depravity. They are designed to brutalize and destroy the individual.
There is nothing positive about prison.
Forced treatment in a lock down DRUG facility with trained staff like you have in Europe that may be the only thing that will work.
I won’t sugarcoat this,, Michael chose to start using again knowing better than most what would happen.
A conscious choice.
There are quicker methods of Suicide.
“Forced treatment in a lock down DRUG facility with trained staff like you have in Europe that may be the only thing that will work.”
Yes, that would be ideal.
Its breaks my heart that the story came out publicly like this, even more so that he’s fallen so far so fast. Michael is a dear sweet man and a legend in his time… no one deserves this. More proof ( as if we need it ) that Crystal is the bane of our existence. Having kicked speed myself I know it is THE hardest thing to do… I pray for him and his loved ones to have courage and faith that he can turn it around again.
XO
This is horrible, horrible.
I’ve never met Mr. Brandon, but I have enjoyed his performances and the Monster Bang line of videos he directed. This is heartbreaaking.
I don’t know what the solution is, for Brandon or for society in general, but I AM certain that prison is not the answer.
Criminalizing illness is insane.
The only way to help Mr. Brandon is to cut off all money flow. That he use to spend on drugs. He is co-owner of Raging Stallion prod.
What a sad story. best to him, and let this be a warning to others.
As a former adult film star and a friend of Michael, I’m really mostly worried about him. I know first hand how difficult it can be to withstand the temptations of party drugs in the adult sphere, and how quickly they can take over your life.
I’m sending up a prayer (and as an ex-Mormon, that’s saying something) that Michael and his partner can find the strength to weather this storm together, and that Michael will take back control of his life.
I know he can do it. He’s done it before, and he’s inspired so many people to do it, too.
Godspeed, my friend.
Sam
Autumn said: “The only way to help Mr. Brandon is to cut off all money flow.”
Oh think for a second Autumn. The only addicts that can be helped are the ones who are motivated to help themselves.
Cutting off his money flow, if he’s not determined to beat his addiction, just sends him spiraling into greater crimes to get the money. You want to INCREASE muggings, Autumn? Because muggings are often addicts with no meny trying to get YOURS to buy their drugs. Do you not think there are enough burglaries? Has teh level of street-crime dropped too low for you?
Broke, drugless addicts are a sure-fire recipe for greater amounts of violent crime.
Engage your brain before engaging your mouth.
I’ve met Michael Brandon a few times going back five or six years, and Michael was always the best with his fans, kind and considerate and respectful. This is really horrible news. I hope he gets the help he needs soon.
michael brandon is the best freind you could ever have in your life and the nice guy i know him very well and have been his freind for over 8 years now and i’ll be there to help him in any way i can help i wish you all the best michael brandon
your freind
xxx steven richards