Youth are at a vulnerable stage of mental and physical turmoil, augmented by the surge in hormones, which leads them to make disturbing choices in their lives. You fall into a pit so deep, it is next to impossible to come out of it; unless you decide — enough is enough.
Drugs are a menace that attacks at the core of society and makes it brittle from within. For the gullible youth, at the prime of their physical states, they think nothing can hurt them. Especially, just trying or just a little, led by the wrong peer group, can make the temptation of a little fun and excitement, hard to resist.
With the help of various NGOs, and other such organizations, targeting to clean the society of this menace, thousands of drug addicts now find the right support and strength to come out clean and stay clean. Of course, it involves a lot of hard work and strong determination, and a lot of help and support from friends and family.
These 15, former, hard drug users, share their experiences and the amazing results of their strong resolution and self control.
#1. One year free from Meth
Ryan Harder, 23, posted on his Reddit account his above two photos. “I was going to jump off the bridge because I’d had enough of the lifestyle of being high, being homeless, having nowhere to go, and being completely unhappy. “
“Now I have real friends. I talk to my family a lot. I’m gaining relationships back. I can show up. I can show up in life. I can be a friend; I can be a brother, a son. I can be an uncle and those are all things that I value and all things I couldn’t do before,” Harder said, according to Sober Nation.
#2. Five Months Clean From Heroin, Cocaine, Ecstasy
MikeyFED posted on Reddit: “I am 25 years old now. It all started back around 18-19 years old. That is when I first tried percocet. Since then I have been in and out of a few rehabs. Every time I went was because I depleted my family’s resources or wanted to get them off my back.”
“But about 13 months ago, right after Valentine’s day last year is when I took a nose dive. I had upgraded from snorting percocets to snorting raw heroin around the age of 21. It lasted a while. But as most people know, it’s inevitable that an addict will eventually move over to needles. It got even worse quick.”
“First off I switched from raw heroin to scramble immediately. It was way cheaper and when it comes to IV use, it gives off a way better rush. This also resulted in becoming dope sick way quicker than before. I went from 185 to 148 pounds in about 3 months.Now I’m at this place in Baltimore. I’ve been here since I got out of jail and flew back in November. And life is really good. I know 5 months of clean time isn’t a lot… But it’s great for me. I’ve never ever had real time before. So this is awesome.”
#3. He achieved two goals at a time and got rid of drugs and overeating.
Jarrett not only got rid of drugs he also got rid of over eating!
#4. One year clean from heroin.
20-year-old Alyssa Gaudinier told kuow: “They tell you all the scary stuff, but the scariest thing they don’t tell you is that you are gonna love it. You’re gonna love it so much, and it will trick you because you just think, ‘Oh this is nice, it’s not that big of a deal.'”
“I thought it was a blessing because I could focus in school. I did some pretty bad things. Things I would have never imagined myself doing, but it just escalates and escalates. That desperation, and the way that the drugs make you feel… It doesn’t even matter at that moment what you do, you just have to get money any how, any way, to get your dope.”
“My own family didn’t even know who I was anymore. I didn’t even know who I was anymore. Now I don’t feel this constant pressure to have to go out and do something or be somebody that I’m not. I can just focus on being me.”
#5. Six Years clean from Opiates.
Reddit user, Ajdrk, posted on his account: “I was a hardcore addict for about 5 years up until 2009, when I was arrested for a DUI, on what would turn out to be the last night I ever touched an opiate. I found the mugshot on one of those extortion “pay us to remove your mugshot” websites, and placed it next to a picture of myself after 6 years clean.”
“I honestly had no idea at the time that I looked that bad. Getting through withdrawal was hell… I went cold turkey from everything, including a daily 130mg dose of methadone. The first week, I spent in jail. The rest I spent at my mom’s house curled up in a fetal position. It took about a month to beat it, and I initially stayed awake for 11 days.”
“If you’re currently struggling with recovery, stay in the fight. Believe me, you probably don’t remember how awesome it is to wake up and not worry about finding drugs, to not be sick for the day.”
#6. Six months Meth and Heroin free.
“Today, my life is different. And that’s all I could really hope for towards the end. Not a better life, because I didn’t feel like anything was ever going to get better… But just something different. This is what 6 months of hard work and commitment looks like for me.”
“I can finally know what happiness and serenity feel like. I get to help others as well as tell my story and share my solution. In doing that, I’m able turn all of the negative from before into positive now.”
“If you are struggling, please ask someone for help and dig deep down with everything you have to find the willingness to change. It’s worth it, I promise you.”
#7. Four years of staying clean
Heidi K. has been sober since 2012!
#8. Three years of staying sober.
“Recovery for me exemplifies the promises coming true. The gift of family, and honesty between all of us, is truly better than what my life was even before I picked up a drink or a drug,” Jared D.
#9. Eight months free from pain.
“I was in such a dark and broken place that I never thought I could get out of. I was contemplating taking my life because I could not bear the pain anymore. My life was driven by fear and not wanting to look at myself.”
“I decided that I am either going to end it all or pick myself up and start fighting for the peace and happiness that I deserve. Asking for help was the best thing I could have ever done. I surround myself with strong women, work with a sponsor, and take suggestions!!!! There are so many amazing gifts that sobriety has to offer! Do not give up before the miracle happens!”
#10. Six years clean from Cocaine and Heroin.
Graham MacIndoe was a successful photographer, working for the Guardian‘s Weekend magazine among others. Then he began a destructive journey into heroin addiction – and turned the camera on himself. He and his partner Susan Stellin recall the road to recovery.
“When I first really started doing drugs, I felt it was enhancing my life – it just made everything sort of great. But I knew I was an addict when I started having to do it in the morning when I woke up. And that’s when I should’ve known to stop, but I didn’t.”
“When you’re on drugs, you never think you’re going to be able to get back to where you were or anywhere close to living a normal life. And you can – not real easy, but you can. Things are never going to be the same, but it can be fulfilling and it can be enlightening and life-changing. It has been for me. My priorities are different now. Not that I was a bad or selfish person, but I think more of other people and I see humanity in a different way. I’m much more passionate about life.”
#11. Six years sober from meth.
Shanna White told KRBC, “I keep that picture to remind myself where it took me, where I was. I felt defeated. I look at the other picture and I think, ‘Wow, I did it.’ Today I celebrate my life! 6 years clean from the grips of meth addiction! If you are still in the midst of this ugly nightmare please know there is hope. You too can beat this and have a beautiful life.”
“It is NEVER too late. Forgive yourself and know that you are worthy! I am blessed to have the love and forgiveness of all that love me! I love my life and I love all my friends and family that have always supported me.”
#12. More than two years free from Heroin.
“On June 11th 2014 I went to jail for 36 days on a contempt charge. Without delving too deep I’ll just say that I was in a really abusive relationship that led to my daughter going to live with my mother. She is my whole world, so when that happened I fell into a deep depression and leaned to my abusive boyfriend for emotional support. His answer to making me feel better was heroin.”
“After 8 months of daily use and a few… attempts at getting clean, I told the judge preceeding over the guardianship case of my daughter that I had been using and that I needed help. He found me in contempt of court and put me in the county jail until he could find me a bed in a rehab. From there I went to the best rehab in my state. Recovery has been an uphill battle, but now I am at a point where it all just feels like a bad dream.”
#13. Ten years free from methamphetamine
“19 years old. I thought I was the most amazing person. I weighed about 100 pounds. I was a jerk. I stole from my friends for drugs. I stole from my family for drugs. I lied. Cheated. Hurt very good people. I had no one left besides my step dad when I quit. No one believed me anymore. It was a very hard time.”
“It’s been ten years and I am ready to leave the past, in the past. I am not an ex-addict. I am not in recovery. This fall I will walk up on stage and collect my BS in accountancy. I have accomplished so much from that person I was ten years ago. I am a whole, strong, and amazing person and I am proud of myself.”
#14. Eight months free and clear of Heroin addiction.
“8 miraculous months sober… Longest I’ve ever went… Without being forced. Because I want it this time.”
#15. Four years clean from Meth and Heroin.
26-year-old Dejah Hall posted oh her Facebook:
“Today [12/6/16] marks 4 years clean from heroin and meth. I was a terrible iv user and like most, progressively got worse. On the left, is me the day I was arrested 12-6-12 and coincidentally the day I finally surrendered to God! With the help of God I am completing my B.A. and hope to one day be a prison minister. I have a beautiful 18 month old and everyday I thank God that I am not where I once was! Sobriety is possible.”
Don’t they all look beautiful? Kudos! to each and every one of them, and to many others who have achieved this difficult feat and taken charge of their lives. As we learn from most of them, you need to ask for help and be ready to take help.
