"Would be using again if not for CRI"

I had been in treatment for addiction by a methadone prescription for almost twenty years. Although I was reducing my methadone intake I had done this before but always gone back to using heroin whenever my methadone levels were reduced for any length of time. Although I saw a nurse when I collected my prescription I knew that it was boredom that was my danger point. The lower my methadone intake became the more I felt bored by doing nothing - whereas when using heroin I was happy to have no structure in my life. I came across CRI and the peer mentoring course purely by accident and I know it sounds corny but it really has changed my life. It has given me a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging.

I know I still have things to work on, especially my confidence. But I am on the lowest methadone level since I first had it prescribed and I have things to look forward to. If I had not become involved with the staff at CRI I know I would be using again by now. Most of the people I started using with are dead. Each time I've managed to stop using it's been harder, and easier to start again. When I started using thirty years ago it was just a few friends looking to have some fun - we didn't think it would last a lifetime or so many people would die in the process.