"Drug Addiction": Personal Stories

Drug addiction is a very real problem faced by many real people.

One should not be fooled by the 'wild party girl' and rock star celebrities that make headlines with repeated visits to rehab centers; because there is nothing glamorous about drug addiction.

Real drug addiction exists all around you! It isn’t just the panhandler on the corner who once had a good life that is a victim of drug addiction. It could be your teenager, your co-worker, even the housewife next door.



Michael Reichman had just barely turned 18 when he left home.

He arrived to his destination with an inherited $15,000, high hopes and plans. In a new place and a new crowd, Michael tried meth.

6 months later, he was homeless, penniless and begging for money. It only took one experiment with meth for Michael’s life to be turned upside down. (I Looked Like a Dead Person) http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Stories/I_looked_Like_a_Dead_Person

Drug addiction has damaging effects on every aspect of your life.

You might even be surprised to know that it is not just adolescents and young adults who battle drug addiction.



Often, new moms with 24/7 demands are especially vulnerable when exposed to drugs.

Elizabeth Fish, somebody who had never taken any drugs (including marijuana) before in her life quickly developed an addiction to meth. The drug helped her make it through a demanding daily schedule. Until one day she was pulled over and the police officer discovered a small bag of meth on her.

Elizabeth’s addiction to meth led to her being arrested, and her daughter was placed in foster care. For years to follow, Elizabeth would devote all of her time and energy trying to get clean and regain custody of her daughter. (Mother's Dangerous Little Helper) http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Stories/Mothers_Dangerous_Little_Helper

When drug addiction develops, it affects the drug users’ motivation and outlook on life. This happens in such a way that it just 'feels normal', and only somebody from the outside can see the changes taking place.

"Drugs didn't rob me of (my dreams) but they did make me willing to forget about (them)" says Lynn Smith, a hard working woman who moved to New York with plans to build a career in theatre.

Instead, an ecstasy addiction nearly killed her and placed her in a psychology ward. (Extasy Abuse) http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Stories/Agony

Fortunately, Michael, Elizabeth, and Lynn are three examples of survivors of drug addiction. They have all in their own ways sought the professional assistance needed to help fight drug addiction and get their lives back.

Even if you are somebody who never has and never will tried drugs, chances are high that at least two people in your life right now have their own personal drug addiction story. Whether you are suffering drug addiction or you are recovering from addiction, each story is as unique as they are similar.