"Recovery from drug addiction"

I have been using Recovery services for over 10 years and been with CGL for around 4 years now. I first started seeing a worker for achohol and ketamine use but I started using heroin so my treatment now is primarily for heroin addiction. I am on methadone and was previously on bupranorphine. 

I was prescribed methadone as I was struggling to stay clear of heroin despite being in treatment and being prescribed bupranorphine. The past year I have not used any narcotics at all other than my prescribed methadone. This is the first time in over 20 years that I can say this! 

I lost my mum when I was 16 and started smoking cannabis daily. I was regularly taking ecstasy and anthetamine from being 16. I started taking ketamine in my early 20’s which became a daily habit. I took so much ketamine I suffered regular excruciating stomach cramps. I had short periods where I quit but when I wasn’t taking ketamine I would drink alcohol instead. I just could not face sobriety and used drugs and alcohol to cope. The drugs and alcohol caused mental unbalance so I lived in a vicious cycle. 

Around 7 years ago my friend came to live with me. I was studying at university to be a social worker. My drug use was under control. I would sometimes take ketamine at the weekend but I’d had a boyfriend who hated me taking it plus my low student budget didn’t allow. I struggled getting hold of my drug of choice, for me and many other users this was hugely frustrating. My friend had started smoking heroin to fill the void and introduced me to it. Before long we were living together injecting and addicted. 

Since then I have been on and off. Started and stopped smoking crack cocaine. Tried to come off by myself. Had a year heroin free but taking huge amounts of ketamine (ketamine eventually returned but it’s quality wasn’t good). More periods of taking heroin and stopping. 

I moved to new accommodation 4 years ago and live here full time. I have spent this time trying to overcome my addiction and the past 12 months have been successful. My recovery coordinator at CGL has been with me for this last 4 years and has been hugely important to my recovery. She is hugely supportive. She is a constant in my life. She is reliable and professional but personable and I feel she genuinely cares. 

I’m still on methadone but have reduced my dose and I am weary of situations that may trigger me using drugs but I am looking forward not back. I work and I have a happy relationship. I have a great relationship with my dad and stepmum. Best of all I am happy being drug free. I like to think I am a success story.