By: Georgy Goodwin

Markus Guirand, a 19-year-old University of Oregon student, is currently in recovery for a cocaine addiction. He has found drawing to be a creative outlet that keeps his mind off of addiction.

Markus Guirand, a 19-year-old college student at the University of Oregon, steps out on his front porch to smoke a cigarette. Guirand is a recovering drug addict. His addiction to cocaine started when he was 17. He has been sober for 535 days now. While Guirand knows smoking is not healthy for him, it has proved to be an effective outlet to subdue his drug cravings.

 

Markus Guirand, 19, is a recovering cocaine addict. His addiction began when he was 17. It started out slow, only using at parties or before concerts, but before he knew it, Guirand was deep into cocaine. Guirand was in denial of his addiction until a tragic event struck him. His best childhood friend overdosed on cocaine and died. He began to see how much his drug use had been affecting his life and he knew that if he did not quit, he could die. He has been sober for a year and a half.

 

Markus Guirand, 19, has found an outlet in drawing, which keeps his mind from thinking about using. Growing up, Guirand had never been into art, so he was surprised when he realized how much he enjoyed drawing. It has become an effective hobby that allows him to find comfort through his artwork rather than through drugs. He is able to convey his emotions through his charcoal and sketchpad.

 

After losing his friend to a cocaine overdose, Markus Guirand has picked up drawing as a way to express himself and his emotions. He enjoys drawing skeletons because he likes organization and finds satisfaction in organizing the bones of the body. Having organization in Guirand’s life is important to him, especially while recovering. Like drawing, it serves as a distraction from using and a way to have control in his life, drug free. When drawing, Guirand uses charcoal because it gives a darker black and is easier to work with in terms of erasing and shading.

 

Family friend Beth O’Halloran (right) gives her input on Markus Guirand’s most recent drawing. Beth, who knows Guirand’s history with drugs, visits him often so that she can see his progress of recovery through drawing. Guirand enjoys showing his work to friends and family. He improves his art with every opinion and piece of advice.