Robbie speaks to Edges. Robbie is currently in the T.H.O.M.A.S. Rehabilitation Unit. |
||||
I remember being on the streets in Liverpool Seal Street at a place run by sisters for the homeless, somewhere to have a meal. I was lonely. I couldnt return to my family after I had stolen off them and letting them down for over twenty years. It was hard on the streets, you needed to learn survival skills to find a safe place to get your head down to sleep, or to get a meal. I felt lonely and isolated, depressed and anxious, living on my wits all the time. Addiction has led me to a couple of jail sentences, in and out of hospital. Over the last twenty years Ive lived everywhere, moving from town to town, trying to sort out my problems, with doctors and CDTs, trying to do it on my own, always thinking that I knew best. Its like being in a maze for twenty years. I have lost count of the rock bottoms; Ive done a couple of withdrawals, especially from Methadone where Ive gone into prison. Ive done benzones and I was a raging alcoholic too. Ive had convulsions and blackouts. I have Hep. C. And Ive also had thrombosis and pneumonia. I nearly had to have my foot amputated through injecting Ive done all sorts to my family; every time the phone rang they expected it to be the police telling them Id been found dead in the gutter. When I was in prison it was like I was safe there. I needed to change my life because when I got out of prison in 1999 I got married and had a son who is now six years old. I got my partner on to heroin addiction. I pushed my family away, I was on the streets again; I couldnt turn to anyone because I had used up all my resources. I was on my own; I had to do something. I needed help and that was the first time I was honest. I got help from the CARATS team. I was emotionally and physically a wreck. I went to rehab at the Lancaster Castle. Seven months there and I knew that I had to go into rehab or twenty four hours after leaving I would be back again. I came to T.H.O.M.A.S. and its changed my life. The T.H.O.M.A.S. organisation has given me life skills to use as a stepping stone. I feel a part of something; Ive never felt that before; its hard work at times and sometimes challenging but if youre prepared to put in the footwork youll come out at the other side. Ive got a long way to go but its giving me so much. My family are coming back into my life because they can see the difference in my letters and telephone calls. Im not asking them for anything, Im managing now. Ive been here twelve weeks and Im still clean and stable. Im looking to the future. I know I have a future. Before coming here I thought I was designed to die an addict; I thought I was born that way, but now I have something. People can see the potential in me. |
This
Document maintained courtesy of
BS Web Services
.
Material Copyright © 1997-2007 THOMAS (Those on the Margins of a Society)
Registered Charity Number 1089078