A recovering drug addict identified as Abraham has recounted how substance dependence cost him his job, damaged his family relationships and deprived him of nearly a decade of his life.
Abraham shared his experience on NarcoTales Season 4, Episode 8, aired on NDLEA TV’s YouTube channel on Friday, where he spoke about his journey from addiction to recovery.
He said he realised the severity of his addiction after losing a job at an oil company because of an offensive body odour.
According to him, colleagues would open the office windows and air conditioner and spray air freshener whenever he arrived at work.
“When I got employed, I got a job opportunity in an oil company. People kept complaining that my body was bringing up very offensive smell.
“Most of the time, when I came to the office, they would open the AC, open the windows, they would be spraying air freshener up and down. I couldn’t last on the job beyond a couple of months. They had to let me go and put me on sick leave.”
Abraham said losing his job forced him to confront his dependence on drugs. He realised that the pain that initially led him to substance use was no longer present, yet he continued taking drugs because of persistent cravings.
“At that point, I knew that. That was also the point when I realised that the initial pain that made me start taking it, I was no longer feeling it. But yet, I was taking the drug based on impulse.”
He said the addiction eventually affected almost every area of his life, including his finances, health, career and relationships.
Addiction Strained Family Relationships
Abraham said his addiction also placed enormous pressure on his family. According to him, his mother’s efforts to help him contributed to tensions that eventually led to his parents separating.
“In the course of my addiction challenge and my mom trying to help me, my mom and my dad separated. You can see that it’s not just me that’s affected. It affected my family at large.”
He added that his relationship with his siblings was also severely damaged and has remained strained even after his recovery.
“My siblings right now, even though I’ve recovered, because of that strain over the years of the addiction, we now feel like strangers. That connection is no longer there.”
‘I Lost Almost 10 Years of My Life’
For Abraham, however, the greatest cost of his addiction was the loss of time and missed opportunities.
He said he became addicted in his mid-20s and did not fully understand what it meant to live without the euphoria associated with drug use until he reached his 30s.
“I lost almost 10 years of my life due to this. So why am I missing this beautiful life for themselves? Getting a job, getting married, just a beautiful life for themselves. I miss those opportunities.”
He said financial losses could be recovered, but lost time could never be regained.
“I could have saved money, but you can lose money and regain money. But time is something you can’t regain. You can’t regain time.”
Addiction Left Him With Physical Scars
Abraham also spoke about the physical consequences of years of drug use, including scars from needle injections, difficulty walking and losing the ability to participate in activities he once enjoyed.
He said he was particularly affected by the knowledge that he might never be able to run again and that he now walks with a limp.
“I used to love dancing and that’s gone. Knowing that I’m partially disabled, anytime I need to walk, I need to limp alongside.”
He said he often wore long sleeves and socks to conceal the scars on his body because he was uncomfortable exposing them in public.
Abraham also recalled some of the extreme actions he took while battling addiction, including stealing from his mother and begging strangers for money to buy drugs.
“I never knew I was capable of stealing. So I stole from my mum when the addiction was serious.”
He also disclosed that he attempted suicide three times during the period of his addiction.
Recovery Through Support and Rehabilitation
Abraham said his recovery was made possible by people who continued to believe in him, including his pastor, church members and professional support providers.
His first rehabilitation attempt lasted about a month, but he relapsed several weeks after leaving the facility.
He said his subsequent rehabilitation was different because he had a strong support system that continued to monitor, encourage and assist him.
According to him, his pastor helped him secure rehabilitation and remained actively involved in his recovery.
He said church members, including some who were medical professionals, regularly visited him and brought food while he was receiving treatment.
After leaving rehabilitation, Abraham faced another major challenge when he returned home and discovered that he had lost his accommodation and had nowhere to live.
He said he relied on his pastor, psychologist and other members of his support network as he adjusted to life outside rehabilitation.
He also began learning wig-making and other hair-related skills to keep himself occupied and gradually rebuild his life.
“I had something to fight for. I had something to live for. I had a purpose to chase after him. So, my mind was no longer idle anymore.”
Turning Recovery Into Advocacy
Abraham said his advocacy work has also played an important role in keeping him focused on his recovery.
Through his advocacy, he speaks to students and members of the public about the dangers of drug abuse, addiction and the possibility of recovery.
He urged people struggling with substance dependence to acknowledge the problem, speak openly about it and seek professional and community support.
“I would tell the person, see, there’s never a time that is too late to stop. There’s never a time too late to stop. Stop now, while you still can.”
He added:
“Addiction flourishes in silence. Speak out. Seek help.”
