“When I was on drugs I didn’t feel like living but now I’m genuinely happy. I have been on holiday, got engaged and been to see my favourite band live in concert, which would never have happened had I been using still”.
I started self- harming at age 11 after suffering abuse. The pain from self - harming distracted me from what I was going through. I got into a relationship with an older man that was using heroin, and at the time he made me feel safe from the abuse.
I have been on a methadone script, for about 20 years after my ex-partner introduced me to heroin at the age of 16. I was using heroin whenever I could, which was normally around payday and it would last a few weeks using every night, but it started lasting less and less as I started needing more.
I was in a bad place and tried to kill myself a few times, I just wanted to give up.
Today, I have been abstinent form heroin since 2017 and I finally came off methadone completely on 31st March 2022.
I started my methadone prescription and have been reducing slowly. Then I went into a detox centre to come off completely. I can’t believe where I am today, I never thought it was possible after using substances for so many years.
In my recovery, I have really enjoyed the Art Project with students from the University of Lincoln, , and Double Impact and found it really helpful to have other people to talk to who aren’t in recovery, but don’t judge you as they are there voluntarily to help you be creative and support you.
I also find listening to music really helpful and staying connected with recovery services and others in recovery.
When I was on drugs I didn’t feel like living but now I’m genuinely happy. I have been on holiday, got engaged and been to see my favourite band live in concert, which would never have happened had I been using still.