"I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity"

I went onto Buividal because the detox from methadone is so difficult. I had been on methadone for years. I didn’t want to go back to daily picking up my methadone from the chemist after rehab, where I had been unable to stay totally abstinent afterwards.

I was on a slippery slope but was reluctant to go back on a script. I was offered buividal by Kelly, my recovery worker, and initially I said no, as I was worried about not being able to use. Things got even worse over the next few weeks and I folded and decided to give it a try.

My Recovery Worker, Kelly, said that others had responded well and I had read online that people were saying it was good. I started with the first injection and then used over the first week but soon realised that the heroin was not working due to the blocking nature of the buividal.

Eventually, I stopped using on top and started to settle. I have not really had any bad side effects that I’ve not been able to handle so far and I can even sleep ok. I have been on it for just over a month now and when I first had the monthly injection, (as I started out on a weekly one at first) I felt nauseous and was sick for 2-3 days (although not in withdrawal).

I wake up each morning now without being in a panic about having to score or go to the chemist. It has taken all the stress, anxiety and worry away and I also have more money to spend. I now feel like a normal member of society for the first time in a long time. I now feel clear headed and able to make better decisions and feel I can now actually build a life around myself first and then look at reducing my dose and tapering off later.

I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity by my recovery worker and Inclusion and wish it had been about years ago.