It all started off as fun and games then drugs took me to the darkest places possible. I became an animal. I would go through any lengths to get drugs. It didn’t matter if I hurt myself, my family, my friends. It did not matter who.I became spiritually bankrupt,financially and emotionally bankrupt. I knew I had to stop or I would die this way. I tried many ways to get out but they were unsuccessful and the pain progressed.

At the age of 30, but by the Grace of God, I got a message of hope from people who went through the same pain and got out. I am now 5 years clean living a happy joyous and free life. I am free from economic insecurities. I know how to handle situations which would usually baffle me. I have only brought tears of Joy to my family and most importantly I have a purpose in life and that is to carry the message to the still suffering addict...THERE IS HOPE !!!!!  

  Recovery to me, as an addict, is Light and Love. My addiction took away all my joy. I was in a dark place, emotionally, and drained of all spirituality. Now, looking back at it, there's an understanding to my insanity. The use of drugs was the only thing that I lived for and it didn't matter who I hurt or what I did to get it. I had become a slave to drugs. I was filled with darkness and hatred and before I knew that there was a way out for me, drugs had stolen 22 years of my life.

Today, through a simple programme, I have Love and Light back in my life. I'm able to love and care for myself and care for my loved ones. I had reached rock bottom so many times in life but never found a way to be honest with myself and didn't have the willingness to change. A recovery centre that works with a 12 step programme, gave me that gift that, up until today, keeps me sober and clean. I've realised that my purpose is to give this amazing freedom to the still suffering addicts. A higher power has guided us brothers in the direction we are today, and that is to love an addict until he learns to love himself. This programme has helped millions of addicts around the world and my Brothers and I are proof of that miracle.  

  My name is Deshan and I am an addict.

I came into recovery in 2016 albeit unwillingly. I had nowhere else to go. I had reached rock bottom after being in active addiction for 12 years. I had to have drugs at any cost. My whole life revolved around the getting and using of drugs. I could not manage my own life and it was evident to everyone besides myself. I couldn't see the harm that I was doing to my family and everyone around me.

I was sent to a 12 step recovery centre and this was a life changing start. Through the program I learnt that I have a disease and that I am an addict. I had to accept that I could no longer drug. Since being in recovery my life as completely changed. I no longer have an obsession to drug, I'm simply living life on life’s terms and its working. I am no longer a problem and no longer powerless.