When you ask people about the drugs they experimented with in their youth, you often get a response along the lines of: 'Oh, I tried everything... except for heroin.'
Well, that drug, the one everyone vows they won't touch, consumed my life for 20 years.
"When I tell people I was a junkie, they picture someone lying in a gutter or shooting up in an alley. While the stereotype might be true for some addicts, my experience was different. I held down a full-time job for decades during my addiction. I made good money, too."
I was always able to function and even learn new skills while using heroin in my late teens. When I got married at 25 and had two kids, nothing changed. If anything, it escalated.
I was good at my job and was a first-class welder, so never had any problems at work. Later on, I ran my own business and - incredibly - managed to keep the money rolling in.
My problem was when I clocked off work at 5pm. When you're an addict, the more money you have, the deeper you spiral.
"While we appeared like a normal family, I was scamming, stealing, manipulating and doing horrible things to feed my habit."
Heroin numbs you. It takes away all your feeling until you're living in a foggy cloud of nothing. You're not quite in reality; you're always numb.
How it began
Heroin started taking over my life when I was 19. My addiction landed me in jail, saw me overdose three times and had me in and out of hospital for years.
"While most other kids were focusing on school, I was trying different drugs."
- I started smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol at 12.
- From 14 I was using every day.
- I started taking acid and selling it at 15.
I left high school that year and started a four-year apprenticeship to become a boilermaker...
"I used [heroin] as often as i could.. Before i knew it,my life revolved around heroin"
The struggle to get clean
The support groups seemed to help but after nearly two years clean i relapsed..
"That relapse continued for nearly six years".
A moment of clarity came when standing on train platform ready end it all.. A vision of kids brought back from brink..
Recovery journey begins
The next day went methadone clinic emotional wreck bawling eyes out saying "I'm going die need help" .. That start recovery although took time finally stop . My first day clean April7 ,2011 .