We recently supported Lewis, who began seeking treatment for a drug and alcohol addiction in his early twenties. This insightful blog is about Cocaine addiction: Personal stories of recovery.
Lewis has very kindly shared his story to highlight the effectiveness of his treatment.
Lewis was a popular child at school and began taking drugs at around 15/16 years of age. He has referred to it as being the ‘normal’ thing to do, as many others were doing the same. At this point, taking these substances was fun and didn’t really present any consequences.
“For many years before embarking on my recovery journey, I faced many challenges. I was raised in a family surrounded by love and support. My parents were amazing, and I had a wonderful sister too. I was popular at school and on the sports teams, and never had trouble with socialising or public events. From being a teenager, I began to “dabble” with alcohol and substances. It seemed the “normal” thing to do at 15/16 as others were also doing the same.
I began smoking weed and drinking at house parties, and at this point in my life, I deemed it as fun! As it didn’t bring me any consequences.”
Lewis was attending house parties where he would drink alcohol and smoke weed. He describes how these experiences changed as he got older.
“But it didn’t take long for things to progress, and the fun times began to lead me down a rabbit hole, which was deeply filled with suffering and pain.
I began to spend time with older lads, and was now surrounded with harder drugs like ecstasy and cocaine, from around 16/17, these were an every weekend thing, I was clubbing and partying underage and was constantly wasted.”
It was at this point that things took a turn for Lewis, and he began struggling to maintain relationships. Lewis also mentions how he took other substances, such as ecstasy, to feel differently about himself.
The struggles before treatment
Lewis faced many challenges before he decided that it was time to seek help for his addiction. Unfortunately, there were times when Lewis ended up in hospital, and thankfully, he was able to build his health back up.
It’s common for people with addictions to struggle with relationships, mental health, finances and even with jobs. It’s important to seek help with an addiction before any of these issues become worse. There is always help and support available.
“At 18 years old, I took my first overdose on ecstasy and was hospitalised. My thinking was so messed up, and I decided not to take ecstasy anymore and just use cocaine and alcohol instead. From here, I notice a pattern of my decline through my addiction. I was always using substances to change the way I felt and to become someone I truly wasn’t. Drugs made me loud and silly, and I thought that being the “funny” or “crazy” guy made me fit in; this was the false reality these drugs were creating for me.
This way of life continued, which was now affecting my career as I would regularly not show up for work. I was using and drinking mid-week too now, which wasn’t something I used to do.
I was in a relationship throughout this, and I became very sneaky and became a compulsive liar. I was financially broke, and I was just working to pay for my “blowouts”, as I liked to call them.”
The turning point & why they chose Acquiesce
After finding out that he was going to be a father, Lewis knew that something needed to change. He was excited and felt like it would really help him to grow as a person. Unfortunately, as time passed, his relationship broke down, and he ended up feeling as though he wanted to take his own life. Thankfully, he took the right steps to recovery.
“At 21, I found I was going to be a father. At first, I was excited. I thought this would change me and make me a better person. When my daughter was born, 3 weeks later, I went out to “wet the baby’s head” and was arrested for the first time for drunk and disorderly behaviour. My daughter’s mum left me, and I was now alone.
The next 3 years were hell on earth, bouncing back and forth from my parents’ house after messing up many opportunities to settle on my own in my own home, my using and drinking were out of control. I was depressed, paranoid and constantly anxious, crippled with financial insecurity which led me to drinking at work and also making foolish choices daily. I was in a place of darkness, and there was no light.
Each bender got worse, and I would only ever stop using and drinking if I was passed out or violently ill from the abuse my body had endured; any other time, I was using.
I had brief periods of sobriety where I would white knuckle and stop but never had a program or tools in place to make this permanent, it was evident for me when I wasn’t drinking my life was better but I didn’t know how to maintain it and always went back on the path of destruction and think I would get away with it. Regardless of my intentions for going for a “few beers”, it never ended this way, and I was always remorseful days later with my head in my hands, crying for help.
It took me to a place I could no longer cope with, and I was suicidal. This was the moment I reached rock bottom after many times before this one had brought me to an end. I couldn’t live with it, and I couldn’t live without it. I needed help.
As I lay in the hospital bed (again) for what I now know was my last time through drink and drugs, my parents stood beside me in complete despair and worry. They said we want you to go to rehab, they had tried to get me help before, but I always had an answer to how I would solve my problems, but this time I was out of excuses and I said I need help. This was the turning point of my life, when I finally surrendered to drink and drugs and Acquiesce was where I arrived 5 days later. It was Christmas time, my life was upside down, and I needed this intervention more than ever. I was completely broken in all areas of my life.”
Choosing a high-quality rehab clinic is so important, and it can really impact your experience. At Acquiesce, we always ensure a personalised approach in every aspect of your recovery. We have a fantastic reputation and have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC. Read our blog on finding the right rehab centre.
The treatment journey
Lewis followed his own recovery process, which was developed by our fantastic practitioners. Our dedicated team has experience working with all addictions, so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
During Lewis’s time with us, we helped him identify his triggers, allowing him to assess better ways of dealing with them. We cover all aspects of care, including physical, psychological, spiritual, social, detox, family support and aftercare.
Our combination packages include a 12-step programme, cognitive behavioural therapy approaches, counselling and holistic activities, such as yoga. This helps our clients develop a balanced lifestyle following their rehabilitation.
Since joining Acquiesce, Lewis’s life has changed for the better.
“Acquiesce saved my life. From arrival, I knew I was in the right place. I was surrounded by love and guidance from so many professionals, and I felt hope for the first time in years. I was guided through a program of recovery and introduced to many different types of tools and skills to enable my recovery. When I left, I got stronger and healthier over this 28-day period. They made me aware of how essential it is to join a fellowship when I left, and I did exactly that.”
The results & life after rehab
It’s important to remember that the triggers don’t just disappear after attending a rehab clinic. Instead, a great clinic team will show you more appropriate methods for dealing with the triggers.
“Once leaving Acquiesce, I knew things had to change; old friendship circles were not to be revisited, places I used to go had to be removed, and my lifestyle had to become recovery-based. From the very start, I worked off a saying, “recovery before anything” I knew that anything I put before it, I would eventually lose.
I joined the AA fellowship and got stuck in. I went to meetings every day and built some friendships with amazing people who had already walked this path. I got myself a sponsor and went through the 12-step program. This set me free; I had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps, and the obsession with drinking alcohol left me. I knew AA was for me as I never used substances without a drink first, so I knew this was the core of my illness.
My life blossomed day in day out, and I made recovery my number one priority. Not every day was easy, but I knew taking a drink was no longer an option, so I got service at groups, helped others in recovery and then moved on to setting up my own meeting in my home town.
My relationships have improved immensely, and now my family and friends trust me and are proud of the person I’ve become. I am the best father, son and brother as a result of getting sober.
I have been on holidays, out for days out, stag dos, enjoyed hobbies, mountains, outdoor adventures and fishing trips. I am now able to enjoy life without the need or want to drink.
Getting sober also opened the door for me and allowed me to find out my true purpose, to guide and help others in their recovery/healing journey. I have a job at Acquiesce now as a bank staff support worker alongside working as a professional heating engineer, and I am training to become a sound healing facilitator.”
Lewis has shown great determination when it comes to his recovery. He has truly turned his life around by putting the techniques he has learned into practice. Lewis is in a much better place mentally and has been able to secure a job since leaving our rehab centre. Lewis now feels a sense of purpose and has amazing aspirations. Read our blog on why aftercare is just as important as rehab.
A note from Lewis
“Today I live a life free from alcohol and substance, I am at peace with myself and no longer hold resentment to myself and others, I am joyful and grateful for the things I have today.
Recovery is the gift that keeps on giving. I was 26 when I got sober, and if I can do it, so can you! If you’re using and drinking is costing you more than money, like mine was in the end, then Acquiesce is a great starting point in making big changes in your life.”
Are you looking for a high-quality rehab clinic that can help you live a happier and healthier life? Then you should contact Acquiesce treatment centre. We can help you transform your life by teaching you effective tools and techniques to use in everyday life.
Chat to our admissions team today, who will be more than happy to help. Find out more about our alcohol addiction treatment and cocaine addiction treatment.
