by Craig Titus
This column does not represent the opinions or views of IronMagazine, it’s advertisers or affiliates. Craig’s column is unedited and for entertainment purposes only, read at your own risk.
Everyone that knew you before you got arrested said that you were bad off on Crystal Meth…How’ you get into that, and can you tell us how that affected you life?
Let me just get something straight right out the gate…I don’t like Crystal Meth, I don’t like the people who partake in Crystal meth and I’ve never had an addiction problem with Crystal Meth. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not stating that specific drug problems are any less severe or damaging then others, any all drug problems can destroy a persons life. It’s just that I’ve personally witnessed Crystal meth utterly destroy the lives of two very close friends of mine as well as the family and loved ones directly involved with their addition.
Point is, because I’ve seen exactly what Crystal Meth does to people, I was very much against the drug and made a conscious choice not to use it, or surround myself with anyone else using it. And again that’s not to say my drug addition was some how better or expectable, it’s just my drug problem was due to prescription medication, and in my mind, that some how made my problem controllable and private not having to associate with other addicts. You see, contrary to what everyone who knew me has said, my drug problem came in the form of 80mg Oxycontin. But that’s what people does, they run their mouths with total disregard for truth and throw rocks out of glass houses…especially people in the bodybuilding and fitness community. I would expect nothing less from the industry and from everyone who knew me…that’s friggin’ hilarious!! For the record, everyone who actually knew me, write me, talk to me on a regular basis and have been by my side since day one and will be by my side the day I’m released from prison…they know the truth. Anyway, my drug addiction and demise began just days fallowing the 2005 Pro Ironman. My right calf swelled up turning red and very painful to touch making it impossible to walk. I immediately knew I was suffering from an abscess deep within the muscle. Now over the years I’ve experienced many painful injection sites but never to the extent of this particular shot of steroids. I’m not entirely sure which specific anabolic caused the abscess but the one thing I know for certain is that one of the drugs was contaminated with bacteria and not sterile. The following Monday after competing Saturday night, I found myself bed ridden in the hospital hooked up to IV bags containing antibiotics. Long story short, the doctors prescribed a 40mg. Oxycontin every Four hours for pain, around the clock for weeks!! I left the hospital on crutches totally unaware I was a full fledged Oxycontin junky. My life, the life I worked so hard for, and my career in professional Building was unknowingly destroyed…forever. You see, nothing good comes from narcotics, nothing. All that I loved, Family friends and career now became second to the drug. I found myself canceling appearances, canceling guess posing gigs and losing desire to train all together I started a new federation called Physiques International and had my sights on taking over the bodybuilding and fitness industry, my goal was to basically shut down the IFBB and NPC taking over every facet of bodybuilding…narcotics destroyed that dream as well!! I checked myself into a rehab knowing I had a problem that I had no control over. I was successful in my attempt to become clean and regain my life, but it was only temporary. My problem is I came home to the same people who enabled me to do drugs in the first place. After a short period of time, Oxycontin was no longer the problem, the problem now became party…cocaine fueled parties that lasted for days. I guess you could say that Charlie Sheen and I have a lot in common, I am in fact you’re a typical drug abuser stereotype…only two things happen to people who abuse narcotics…you die or go to prison…here I am, sitting in prison. I can say, without a shadow of doubt, I will never ever use or go near narcotics for the rest of my days. If you even a so called part time narcotic user or you’re delusional thinking you can do drugs and stop anytime you wish…stop!
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Craig Michael Titus was born in Wyandotte, Michigan on Jan 14, 1967. The eldest of Michael and Sandra Titus’ three children. In high school, Craig wrestled for his school team at 132lbs. After graduation, decided to put on some muscle via weight training. When Craig graduated from high school he was 5’6″ and 140lbs. By the age of 21, he was 5’9″ and 185lbs. Once he started weight training and seeing results, he was hooked. Craig’s first bodybuilding show was the 1988 Houston Bodybuilding Championships in which he won the Men’s Open middleweight class and the overall title.
Competitive Record
2002 Mr. Olympia – 11th
2002 Night of Champions XIV – 5th
2002 Southwest Pro – 7th
2001 British Grand Prix – 9th
2001 Mr. Olympia – 12th
2001 Arnold Classic – 6th
2001 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 2nd
2001 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 5th
2000 Toronto Pro – 1st
2000 Arnold Classic – 10th
2000 Night of Champions – 11th
2000 Ironman Pro Invitational – 8th
1996 NPC USA Championships — 1st Heavyweight and Overall
1995 NPC USA Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1994 NPC National Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1994 NPC USA Championships — 2nd Heavyweight
1993 NPC USA Championships — 4th Heavyweight
1991 NPC Ironman/Ironmaiden — Overall
1990 NPC Tournament of Champions — 3rd Heavyweight
1990 NPC Western Cup — Overall
1989 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships — Overall
1988 NPC Houston Bodybuilding Championships — 1st, Middleweight and Overall
