A Life Reconstructed

After thirteen years of smoking dope every day, ten years of clubbing, nine years of smoking heroin and distributing every drug possible, I thought a year in Australia would have helped me to sort out my life. But three months after my return I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

It was at this point in my life that I realised everything I had achieved no longer mattered and I found myself back on 'smack'. I was depressed, which only fuelled the addiction. A whole year passed by. I believed that I would be able to get off the gear by myself without taking advantage of any kind of help.

Eventually however, I went to see a drugs counsellor and was told about Gordana House. Initially the term 'rehab' and the thought of breaking away from friends and family did not seem appealing, but within a matter of weeks I was told that funding was available.

At that stage I could not see any way out of the world that I was in, other than to take the chance that was given to me to enter into rehab. I could see that I was given an escape route from drugs. I am now nearly at the end of my programme, and looking back I wished that I had done it sooner.

The help that I have received has been spot on, not just with getting off the gear, but also dealing with the health issues, enrolling at college to become a teacher, sorting out a flat and basically reconstructing my life. I now possess the skills to ensure I never turn back and am looking forward to getting the most out of life.

Every morning I wake up and either think to myself or shout out loud: I AM ALIVE!

Julian (Gordana House)