Brandon

Topics: Substance Abuse

“I started smoking pot when I was 14 because I did not like dealing with my family or school. Eventually smoking pot wasn’t enough and I began using heroin. I became a full-fledged heroin addict almost immediately when I tried it for the first time. I felt completely powerless as addiction took over and I watched six years of my life pass me by completely.

I eventually lost every friend I had. When I lost my real friends, I gained a set of fake friends that didn’t care if they saw me get hurt. Then my family had to face the reality that I was most likely going to die as a result of my heroin use. From the drug use, I inflicted massive damage on my brain, kidneys, and liver that still affects me years later. Plus, there are also the anemia issues I have. The worst part of it all was when my best friend and my girlfriend died as a result of their heroin use. I live with that consequence every night when I dream of them.

In recovery, the hardest parts to deal with were the guilt and shame. Once I was clean, I fell in love with life after not knowing it for so long. Luckily I had my brother around to teach me how to live it. To get clean I went to a place called Chicanos Por La Causa which is a 30 day inpatient treatment center. Inpatient treatment gives you time to clear your head and get ready for the world again. Trust me, you’re going to need that.  I also made sure I stayed away from my druggie friends; instead I chose to make new sober ones. More than anything I would suggest letting someone help you. I could not have done it alone. I stay clean and maintain my recovery by helping others from not doing what I did. I’ve made my peace with my family and couldn’t have a better relationship with them which keeps my mind free from thoughts of using. Today I am in a place (physically and emotionally) that I thought I never would be. I couldn’t be happier with the man I have become.  I just wish that I didn’t take a 6 year detour getting here!"