24/7 Hotlines: Call or text 988 or text 741741

Media Room

Check out the latest features and share your news, artwork, poems, or videos.

My battle with drug addiction

When I turned 19 years old, I started smoking marijuana with my friends almost everyday. I was also drinking every night after work. and partying every weekend. I thought there was nothing wrong with what I was doing. I just kept telling myself I need to continue on this path, It is my fate to keep using till I die. Then when I turned 21, I experience cocaine for the first time. Once I tried coke I loved it instantly. I felt like I was superman. I I always had non stop energy. I thought this was a positive effect, but what I didn’t realize is that I was also in a manic state of mind. I thought I was invincible. I used to go to the club every weekend and drank till I blacked out. Afterwards, I would walk down the streets of New Haven looking for drugs and just talking to random people. there were times when I used to sleep in my car because I was too intoxicated to drive. Luckily, I would make it back home safe the next day. I knew something could’ve happened to me but I just didn’t care. Then before my 22nd birthday I was introduced to crack-cocaine, and this is when my life really went down hill. Once I took my first hit and felt my first high that was it. I was instantly addicted. Everyday of my life; every hour, I spent chasing my next high. I eventually lost my job because I wasn’t showing up. I even spent all my money; even my savings, on another crack rock. This went on for about a year and six months. It got to a point where I was actually over the bridge in Ansonia CT, ready to jump. Surprisingly, someone I knew stopped as soon as I was about to jump and stopped me. Till this day, I believe in miracles. I knew that was my higher power looking out for me. I wasn’t my time to go yet. I was then taken to the hospital and spent about a week in the psych-ward. After I was discharged, I began praying to god every day that I would never touch drugs again. After about a week I was able to find help. I found a mental health and addiction clinic in my area that helped council me through my struggle. I even attended Narcotics Anonymous meeting three days a week. Eventually I was able to kick the habit and I have been clean now for over a year and 5 months. Ever since I stopped life has been much more enjoyable for me. I found another job, I eat right and take care of my mental and physical health and I rebuilt my relationships with my friends and family. My advise to everyone is to never touch drugs because if you become addicted, it will take you down hard. To the point where you will have nothing.


2 Replies to “My battle with drug addiction”

  1. Luz.Feliz says:

    Carl,

    Thank you so much for sharing this part of your story with us. I’ve heard far too often that once a person gets started on a drug it is downhill from there, similar to how you experienced. I hope that anyone who may be struggling may stumble upon this post and find hope, believing that they too, can overcome the battles of addiction. Again, thanks for this post!

  2. OliviaM27 says:

    Carl,
    Congratulations on your sobriety. That is such a cause for celebration. Thanks for sharing your story for those who may not have the voice to share theirs yet. Keep working hard!


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.