"Support shows we can beat alcohol and drugs"

I had been a drug user since being 11 at the age of 44.

I had ended up using heroin, something I thought I would never do. I can't pick a particular thing that made me take heroin but have since been taught by Julie from DART, run by NHS in Boston, that many things that happened in my life attributed to it, but ultimately it was my choice.

In December 2010 my family finances and health were really suffering, I went to my Dr who referred me to Tracey, also from DART and NHS, she quickly got me to see on of there doctors, who asked some questions. He then prescribed me subotex.

I took it every day until eventually I was free off heroin. In all the months of treatment I was seen by Julia who also saw me through 6 months of Hepetitius C treatment.

Nothing was too much for her. She saw me through all the ups and downs of drug withdrawal. She made sure I knew all the facts of what different drugs had done to my body and mind, she was always at the end of the phone if I was having a bad day and if I had doctor or hospital appointment she would try to make herself available.

When I was first in treatment she suggest I involve myself with the peer group which aims to help others in treatment which I have done. It has changed the direction of my life. I now look to the future in a much more positive way.

All the staff in the Boston office of DART are upbeat, polite and helpful at all times. There office is comfortable and most of all I believe the clients are always made to feel welcome, the staff including administration always seem to have time for the people and that makes them feel like they matter, which was something which definitely lacking in all the other services I had used over the years.

So I believe the care and support shown by DART to me and many others that we can beat drugs and alcohol and for that myself and my family are very grateful.