Bridge PROGRAMME
Addictions
Have you ever had one? Well, you don’t want or need one. It really means a downward spiral to you, your family and your life. In fact your life doesn’t belong to you anymore. One word that can only describe it is Killer! Because in the end, that’s what’s waiting for you. sometimes before your time.
My Day. Hopefully not waking up too early because you know your going to be ill. In my case it was very bad, because I had two addictions, drink and drugs. The vomiting, the shakes, sweats and cramps, don’t sound good does it? Believe me its horrible. Then the question “where will I get money”. I’ve done things I didn’t want to, just to get a measly £10, then next, where is the gear. Hoping all the time you don’t get ripped off, which happens often. OK you’re sorted, then it begins again.
Luckily I was able to get out of the rut I was in. It’s wonderful, wake up, ah! I’ll have a cup of coffee, not a whisky, no shakes, no vomiting, no scheming. The help is there, it’s just sad that not everybody knows this. I had the help and believe me I’m so happy. I have my family back. I can’t believe I lost out on so many good things. There is a life out there waiting to be lived and enjoyed. OK sometimes your day isn’t always good, but who’s life is?.
I am an extremely lucky person because I still have my family and friends, now instead of a bag or a bottle; I can talk and spend time with my people. Because believe me, the answer to any problem isn’t at the bottom of a bottle or in a little bit of powder. I knew at my age things could be a bit more difficult, as it takes longer to sort, but I get there eventually and now I know its not possible to solve one problem with another. I have lost some nice friends on that road. I’m only thankful that I’m not lying there with them. I think my Passover will come when God decides, not a needle and a straw.
Thanks for the chance to change
I would like to take this opportunity to thank, with all my heart the people who are the Bridge Project. I never thought that after so many years of living or should I say sharing my life with a dependency, that it would be possible to put my life back on track, but thanks to them I have achieved this. I still have a small problem and even though I don’t live at the Salvation Army anymore they are still willing to support me with any help I need. My small problem is being dealt with now. So I can say in just over one year I have totally changed my life around. I have a life again, I have my family again, and best of all I have a future.
I have so many things to thank the Bridge Programme for. When I tripped up they were there to catch me. I don’t think I could have it with out them. After 25+ years of using drink and drugs I really felt there was nothing out there for me, but believe me there is, and if I can find it then I am sure others can too. These people who helped me weren’t just there, they were THERE!
You have to commit yourself because they do. They give 110% of themselves to help you on your way. Before I had nothing, and nothing to look forward to, now I cant wait until tomorrow. So to the people who the Bridge Project – Thank You deeply. I will never forget what you have done for me.
If anyone is thinking about going on this programme, well I fully advise it, but like I said you have to commit yourself because they do.
Patrick McCahill’s Story
I first got into drugs when my uncle died. I felt alone and heroin would make me feel better, like I had no troubles in the world. I developed a 6 bag a day habit and ended up dealing to support this. I upset my mother because of my use and dealing, her biggest fear was finding me dead. I felt shitty, I lost friends, my cousins and sisters weren’t talking to me. I felt like I was on my own with no support. The only friends I had were users.
A lot of people would say to me that they couldn’t believe I was on the gear. Heroin makes you feel good at the start but drags you down in the end until you cannot control it. Heroin takes control of your life and personality. My Mum said that my attitude changed, said that I became arrogant and that I became more verbally aggressive and sarcastic. I was unaware and oblivious to these changes in me and I realised in the end that heroin didn’t suit me or my original attitude.
I tried to give up cold turkey a few times for my Mum and friends but kept going back cause I wasn’t give up the drugs for myself. It has been important for me to give up for myself first and then for my family and friends. The turning point for me to give up the gear was I had had enough of the lifestyle and the people that go with it. I was fed up with being ripped off and you simply can’t trust anyone and I had no real friends.
I went to WDGADA for an assessment where I was informed about the Bridge Programme. Within the week I was called in for an assessment and within a few weeks there was a room for me on the Programme. I came onto the Preparation Landing desperate to come off the gear, get clean and turn my life around. I realised my methadone was going to take a few weeks but in this period I gradually reduced my use down to 2 bags per day. I then started my script and stabilised on 90mls of methadone.
