"I am anticipating celebrating 18 months clean and serene. I am now planning my Wedding for September 2006..."

I come from a long line of drug users and alcoholics so to say that it’s in my genes is an understatement! I started using at a very young age. I was pulled in by the glamour of drug use. I started smoking pot and popping pills by the time I was 12. I was smoking pot with my dad by 14 and doing cocaine with my mom when I was the ripe old age of 18.

But it wasn’t until I was 19 did I find my true downfall, HEROIN. I, unlike most people, didn’t start with recreational use but dove in headfirst. Being a long-time addict already, there wasn’t a lot stopping me. During the next 3 years, I was in an extremely abusive “drug-based” relationship, I lost a great job, lost some great friends, I filed for bankruptcy and most importantly I lost myself. I hit bottom enough to leave that relationship and check myself into a detox. I thought I was so fed up with the way I was living I could do this on my own. I stayed clean for about 6 months. My relapse had nothing to do with willpower. I am an addict, I have a disease. I started to use pain pills again for recreation, somehow justifying, that because it wasn’t heroin it was OK.

I realized I couldn’t do this on my own again. I checked myself back into a facility. This time with a new attitude and committing to a “real program”. I started Buprenorphine and reluctantly going to NA meetings. Two days into my new program I could feel myself changing. NA turned out to be a lifesaver. I became the secretary at my home meeting, gaining strength from my elders and providing hope for the newcomer.

This time was different. After I left the treatment center, I didn’t have the urge to use right away. Because of the Buprenorphine I learned there was a life beyond opioid abuse.

I have been on Buprenorphine since October 2004. I started at 16mgs a day for 10 months now I take one 8mg pill in the morning. I am anticipating celebrating 18 months clean and serene. I am now planning my Wedding for September 2006, with someone who doesn’t use but does understand. I got another great job. I was super excited to (honestly) pass a drug test for the 1st time. One of my biggest achievements, I am now able to plan a family of my own!!! Being an addict for literally half my life, I didn’t think it would be possible to live drug free.

Look out world. HERE I COME!

Side note: I am proud to report that due to my sobriety my mother was inspired to start Buprenorphine treatment and will be celebrating 9 months clean. A family that gets clean together stays together. If a hopeless drug addict like me can do it, anyone can.

If possible, find a program with recovering addicts to support you and stick with it. No one knows what you’re going through better than someone else who’s been there themselves.