The candid and contrite Bert and Patti Newton did not hold back in their honest and forthright account of how their troubled son’s life had descended into a chaos that’s seen him replaced on a major new television show, cost him two relationships and wracked his family with anguish and concern.

There are many parallels between Ben Cousins and Matthew Newton, but for most of us there is only one lesson. The downward spiral induced by drugs does not tell a pretty story, but it does tell a very real one.

Most of us have expressed our views on Cousins’ personal journey captured on film and presented on air last week, but no matter what anyone thinks of the premiership player who fought back and then won over the Richmond faithful right up until his final game last weekend, no one can argue about the lasting impact of drugs.

Ben Cousins will be a drug addict for the rest of his life. He has been to hell and back; and whether he stays clean and on the straight and narrow is now up to him.

For Matthew Newton, the journey has hopefully bottomed out, and although it is a long way back, he is fortunate to have a loving and supportive family willing to help him in his recovery.