"Our appointments felt like an escape for me"

After 8 years of being addicted too heroin and crack, being in abusive relationships my mum brought me to inclusion visions Thurrock. I was badly withdrawing and I crawled into your office on my hand and knees begging for someone too help me as I couldn't continue the way I was.

Luckily you agreed to help me and this is when I met the amazing Prav who couldn't have been kinder to me even when I was struggling not to vomit all over his office due to withdrawal he could not of been any more helpful if he tried he took me to the bathroom while I sorted myself out.

He put me on a methadone script which was a life saver for me. On my next appointment I met my key worker Helen who is the most bubberley kindest funny loyal and honest person (even if the honest answer wasn't always what I wanted too hear) I had the fortune of having Helen as my key worker and Prav as my prescriber.

Our appointments felt like a escape from reality for me. I felt at ease around them they always made me laugh I remember leaving and my cheeks would hurt because of all the laughter. Of cause it wasn't always fun and games there was lots of tears and tantrums. I was in a real bad violent relationship they were also addicted to heroin and crack which made things so much harder.

I also struggle with my mental health which made everything so much harder throughout my treatment I was in and out of mental health hospitals but Helen and Prav would still call and keep in touch with me as well as the hospital too check on how I was doing. Eventually my partner attacked me so badly one night the police found me in a bad way, the officers knew who I was and refused to take me to the nearest hospital as they new my partner would be looking for me so they took me to a different hospital so I was safe.

My jaw and eye socket was broken and I was in hospital for 11 days. The hospital and Helen and Prav was in contact with each other and even though I was no longer in there area they still continued to support me and continue with my script. Once I got out of hospital I was placed in hotels b&bs until the local council could house me. The last day I used heroin of crack was in Dec a year later and I am no longer on a methodone script have a house two dogs and a partner who truly loves me and would never hurt me.

It look me a very long time too get to where I am now and I honestly couldn't have got here with out my families support and the support of Helen and Prav at inclusion visions. If anybody is struggling with similar problems and lives in Thurrock area please go to inclusion visions in Grays that trip might just save your life like it did mine as I truly believe had I not got the help I did I would not be alive right now. So thankyou so so so much inclusion visions you helped me keep my life as well as change for the better.