I was brought up strict by my old man who was in the Vietnam war. He became an alcoholic and wasn’t good to be around.
Living on the streets – I never thought I’d end up there. I ended up on the streets just to get away from him. I got messed up with a bad crew for several years and had to go to the hospital a few times because of psychosis caused by drugs.
I’ve been involved with drugs and alcohol for 36 years. In the beginning, it was all fun and games and experimental, but it soon got out of control. I tried to clean up my act but drinking for me was a way to deal with anxiety and deep depression. I didn’t know what to do and was lost. If I got myself clean, I ended up back with the old crew, and it all started again, it was a vicious cycle. I just had to get away from the people I was hanging around with because it was a bad environment.
It took a long time to admit that I am an addict.
You’ve got to be ready to make a change.
I was in denial for years, but I knew deep down I had to change. For me, that was the first step. You’ve got to be ready to make a change.
I have seen the damage caused to people by drugs and have lost a lot of mates. I made the decision to clean my act up and also prove to people I could stay clean and sober. I went to a lot of narcotics anonymous and AA meetings where I met some good people to whom I could relate as they had experienced similar things.
Lorikeet Center has done wonders for me
I’ve been coming to Lorikeet Centre for two and a half years and I love it. I spend every Tuesday at Lorikeet Centre. Since I’ve been coming here as a member I like to get involved in the groups and meet like-minded people living with mental illness. I enjoy talking to everyone. Roz does a lot of activities on mindfulness and things like that. I love stuff like that. I learn something new every day. It’s amazing.
I love meeting new people and showing them around. I give them a bit of a run down and a tour of the place, and next thing you know they have become members! We also have pool comps here now and again. I’m pretty good at pool. Lorikeet Center has done wonders for me.
I just love it here.
I’m 55 now and here I am to tell my tale
Today I am walking around with my eyes open, knowing I’m one of the lucky ones who survived. I’ve got my own place now, I’m good with my folks, I’ve got clean friends, I attend Next Step every month, and I’ve got a good case manager. I’ve also got a great doctor. He’s down to earth and is the best doctor I’ve had in my whole experience of seeing doctors.
It’s great to feel happy again.
About Lorikeet Centre
Lorikeet Centre has been supporting people living with mental illness for 27 years. The Centre is underpinned by the importance of peers, providing a place for people to go without judgment, and to be set up with supports if they are in need.
Lorikeet Centre is located at 104 Cambridge Street, West Leederville 6007. To find out more, call us on 9237 8951.
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