Our Community

Chris Hobbs

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:30:00 +0000

My early experimental drug use resulted in a long and chaotic addiction to heroin and benzodiazepines. As a result of my addiction I also experienced prison, homelessness, and long-term prescription drug use. During the last two years, my life has changed dramatically. I am now on a steady dose of methadone and abstinent from all other drugs. I am enjoying family life and volunteering, and I am hoping to use my experiences to educate and support others.

Visit my personal page.

Chris G

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:51:00 +0000

My name is Chris and I’m 30 years old (although I was slightly younger in my photo!). For twelve years I was addicted to cocaine and as a result I lost my home, my girlfriend and my self-esteem. In September 2007, I went to my local Addaction where, with the help of my fantastic key worker, I managed to kick drugs.

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David Wright

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:05:00 +0000

I experienced many years of addiction before stabilizing on methadone. Since then I have worked as a user advocate in South Wales and I also write a newsletter 'The Heroin Herald' for substance users and practitioners. During the last year I have completed a methadone withdrawal plan, from 250 ml to zero. I am currently enjoying a creative writing course, whilst contemplating the next stage in my life.

Visit my personal page

Brian White

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:29:00 +0000

My heroin use resulted in the breakdown of my marriage, the loss of contact with my children and homelessness. Since October 2007, I have been on the Bridge Project, a residential rehab in Cardiff. I have stopped using heroin and am currently stabilised on a methadone prescription.

I've only just started volunteering with Wired In, but I can't wait to get my teeth into it. I hope to get involved in everything I can with them.

Visit my personal page .

Patrick M

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:09:00 +0000

Hi, my name is Patrick and I’m 27 years old. For 2 years I was addicted to heroin, but I could see where my life was going, and in August 2007 I got a place on the Bridge Project, a residential rehab run by the Salvation Army, Cardiff. Since then my life has changed dramatically. I am no longer using heroin, I have recently completed my methadone and then subutex reduction plans, and life is good!

Visit my personal page.

Chris Ling

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:49:00 +0000

For thirteen years I was a serious alcohol user. My alcohol use severely impacted on all aspects of my life. Since November 2007, I have been on a rehabilitation programme and have been dry. My life has changed dramatically. I want others to learn from my story and gain hope that alcohol addiction can be overcome. I also want to help others understand the link between mental health issues and chronic alcohol use – so that effective steps can be taken to tackle these issues.

The thing that I really regret is putting my Mam, Dad and the rest of my family through all the grief and trouble I have caused them over the years. I apologise for that.

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Kevin Manley

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:35:00 +0000

Hello, I'm Kevin! For many years I struggled with heroin/crack addiction, I'm now 2 years into my recovery and have been volunteering with Wired In a little longer than that. The reasons that I started volunteering were mainly just because I wanted something positive to do with my time, but I ended up getting a lot more from it - increased confidence, boosted self-esteem, good friends, incredible support, all in all it's been an amazing experience.

Check out my personal page!

I also have a separate blog - 'I did it my way'

Mark Saunders

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:19:00 +0000

I battled with my heroin addiction for about thirteen years. My addiction stripped me of my family, my friends and my happiness. I have now been off heroin for five years, having found stability on a methadone script, and have been volunteering with Wired In since 2005.

I've got involved with lots of different things, including - speaking at conferences, having my personal story put on film, I was even interviewed on the BBC news. All in all it's been an amazing experience being a Wired In volunteer!

Visit my personal page.

Kerry Manley

noreply@blogger.com (volunteer community) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:58:00 +0000

I'm the mother of a recovering heroin addict, Kevin. Throughout his addiction I supported him as best I could, but it went on for around 10 years, on and off, and it was very hard to deal with. I didn't have any one who understood anything about addiction to talk to, and as it was my first experience of it also. I didn't know what to expect or even hope for.

I became a volunteer with Wired In to use my personal experiences of my son's addiction, to try to help others who had loved ones going through the same. I now know that there is always hope that things will change for the better, even when that might seem impossible.

Visit my personal page.