How did you beat addiction?
If you have ever been addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex or any other behaviour, and have been successful in beating that addiction,
we would like to hear about it.
Addiction is a 'condition' that affects millions of people in one way or another, and which causes untold distress, hardship, pain and sorrow. Although there are many treatments available that can help individuals cope with their addictions, the truth is - addiction is little understood.
Your story is valuable.
If you are one of the fortunate few who have managed to 'turn your life around' by beating your addiction, your story could possibly help someone else to do the same. There is no right or wrong way to achieve this but for many who suffer from addictive behaviour, the concept of 'recovery' from addiction seems an impossibility. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, especially when someone is prepared to share their own experience. Whatever your personal experience is,
Your story could inspire someone.
Please use the form below to tell us your story - in doing so, you may just give someone else the encouragement they need to confront their own addiction problem.
Thank you
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When I was twelve I made friends with some older kids (14/15) through a netball team. They were all experimenting with drugs. I went out socially with them one day and met a 15 year old boy who took a liking to me. I had a bad childhood and was already older than my years. But thats no excuse. I was looking for escape at the time and I found it through that boy. I began smoking as a way of fitting into the group. I was against drugs as they had already destroyed my life. The said boy gave me a joint and told me it was a normal cigarette. I smoked my first joint before I was 13 without realising. I was naive and looking for a way out but I think I knew what I was doing. I smoked cannabis regularly as a social thing. But began to crave it more as I became more depressed and ill. It gave me a chance to escape from the world. I tried other drugs and "friends" would regularly slip things into drinks. I'd know I was taking something but I wouldnt know what. One day I was restrained and injected with tranquilisers. I do not know what happened that night. I was in an abusive relationship with a drug dealer from the age of 12/13 but couldnt leave him beacsue it would cut of my supply. Two years ago I left the relationship with a lot of support from an older coach but couldnt kick the drugs that easily. I was in relationships with two other people who used drugs after that, one male, one female. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol. I was also addicted to prescription drugs. I was in a bad accident which meant i lost a sports sponsorship from a massive company and nearly got kicked out of college. The combination of legal and illegal drugs, the depression and probably many other factors lead to a psychotic episode over a period of 2- 3 months around Christmas 2007. I had all my medication for depression, anxiety and other illness withdrawn and was put on anti-psychotics. During this time I was sexually attacked and fell pregnant without knowing and miscarried. Although I remember virtually nothing from that period of time. I gradually came off them but could not kick the cannabis and whatever else I was taking. My doctor told me there was nothing available for drug addiction in my age group so he put me on a 9 month waiting list for a support worker.During this waiting period I atempted suicide twice and left home. The relationship i had with my family and parents was destroyed. I was only 16 years old. I was on the verge of being chucked out of college and my tutor/psych teacher was desperate to help me. Just after my 16th birthday i met a girl who had been through similar things to me during childhood and i felt i had someone i could confide in without police or social being involved. We developed a close relationship as friends but it couldnt go any further whilst i was so hooked on drugs. Although my drug addiction had become less severe over time, i was still a druggie and I was still spaced out too much. I took a step back and took a good look at myself. I stopped talking to her and we lost contact. I had decided to get clean for many many reasons. There was still no help available. I saw a support worker breifly but she put me in for a referral and I never heard anything again. I was completely on my own and was struggling through college. My tutor was supporting me the best she could but we both knew we had to be careful. It was the hardest thing i've done in my entire life but i managed to get down to just weed and less regularly than before. I got in contact with the girl i had met again and she was amazed. Within the next few months she helped me get off the weed. I'll never forget the day i walked away from weed in a room full of people who were all stoned and watching me to see if i was really serious about quitting. And i left. The realisation that these people were no good for me and who i'd become helped me walk away. But she did too. I havent taken anything or smoked any drugs for 18 months. I'm no longer on any prescription medication. And i'm in a long term relationship with that girl. I don't quite know how I got through it all. Theres many things I do not remember or may have gotten wrong as my memory of those times are in no logical order and are very difficult to follow. However I made it. I even quit smoking cigarettes. How I survived I do not know. It's nothing short of a miracle. But I don't know a time where I have ever been this happy. Something saved me from myself. |
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I started out as a social drinker and drug user. I balanced my drug use with my college life for a few years or so. Although a drunk who threw up all over rugs, furniture, and people; I stayed on the Dean's list and made the college wrestling team. Eventually, I lost my body and my mind. My drugging got me into a locked ward for a month. My medication and forced inactivity caused me to gain over 100 pounds. I did not go anyplace. I wanted to die every day. I've been sober since I first contacted AA. The past 34 sober years have been beyond my wildest dreams. I lost over 100 pounds, earned a black belt, and ran many 26 mile marathons. I was named to Who's Who in two different fields. I helped start a soup kitchen for alcoholics. It is at my weekly home meeting. In the winter, AA members eat all they want of the best food, cooked with love by volunteer recovering alcoholics. I'm financially independent. I do not have to ever work again, but I do odd jobs and volunteer work to keep busy. I've written several books. AA does have a membership rule that most people are not aware of--you have to want to stay sober. AA is for people who want it, not for people who need it. To help with other problems, I've gone to other self-help groups: OA, NA, Al-Anon, ACOA, and Recovery, Inc. All are excellent--if you want to get better. I've written extensively about my experiences on my website. Everything I've achieved and everything I own, is because of the people and program of 12-step fellowships. Jim S |
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