When New Orleans stand-up comedian Matt Owens speaks to patients at drug and alcohol treatment centers, he asks them to write down their craziest stories.

“Everybody loves telling their crazy story,” he said. “With this particular group of people, the crazier the story, the funnier it is. It brings some levity to the room and helps people open up.”

His own “craziest story” from his drinking and drugging years is an integral part of his stand-up routine.

“I tried to eliminate it, and everybody’s like, ‘What are you doing? That’s the funniest story.’ And I was like, ‘Well, I’m not very proud of it.’

“But it’s worth it to take the ding because it’s so funny.”

Owens will take plenty of dings Saturday when he tapes his “Come With Me” special at the French Quarter’s Toulouse Theatre. He’ll

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