Peter is currently in our residential rehab programme
I started with a few weeds, gas aerosols and this led to acid, LSD and progressed to amphetamines, ecstasy. A few years down the line I was introduced to Heroin and Crack Cocaine, and from there my life went downhill.
I had a good upbringing, with my mum and dad and three brothers in Burnley when I was 4 years old. I went to primary school like a normal kid a bit misbehaved, school fights but it was good. I was a good scholar at secondary school but I got in a bit of trouble, stealing money and doing silly things like stealing people’s coats and bags. At 16 I left school and worked for eight months as a tyre fitter, then I signed up for the Q.L.R. After nine weeks training I cracked a bone in my foot and I was sent home for a couple of months then back to another unit because of my injury. After two months I was returned to the mainstream but I signed myself out of the army. I did not drink, just a few beers in the NAAFI and no drugs.
But my life went pear-shaped I was smoking weed and a few ‘e’s at week end. Then I started breaking the law – I broke into a night club because I was out of my head on ecstasy and drink. I was sent to prison and when I came out I was done for fraud and deception – using people’s bank cards. I was sent to a bail hostel in Blackburn and introduced to heroin and crack cocaine. I didn’t know much about its effects.
I met a girl and went to her house and fell asleep after using heroin. When I woke at 12.30 I realised I should have been back in the hostel at 11.30. I got a taxi back and the police were waiting for me. I was in court and the girl who I had only known two weeks was there and I was bailed to her address. She was an addict herself and I thought it was cool. I was not a nice person.
Some of the worst moments in my addiction – I was out of prison with £44 in my pocket, the clothes I stood up in and nowhere to go. I got back to Blackburn, spent all my money on drugs and by the next day I was out thieving on the streets, shop lifting and stealing from cars; as a result I was back in prison. I thought I was doing well with a wife and father figure to my daughter. But Social
Services stepped in and took my little girl away. I have not seen her since and she will be 14 years old now.
I also fell out with my dad, I had moved to Burnley to be near him and when he was moving some stuff for me he found all my drug paraphernalia and I could see it had
broken his heart. But I thought I knew better and fell out with him. I haven’t seen him for ten years.
Three years ago I had tried to change, but I thought if I got sent to prison I would get detox and that would be it, I would be clean but it didn’t work.
This time in prison I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, I wanted it to be different. I had lost my family my little girl, my friends. I don‘t know how it came about but I got a visit from someone at Revolution who offered me a place at THOMAS with a 12 Step Programme. So I thought about it and asked others in jail who had tried it but slipped and they told me to grab the chance to change. So I came to Witton Bank.
And my life has changed dramatically. There are people around me, I have more respect for myself and I am learning to live on life’s terms.
I was a bit shy when I came but groups with Howard and Steven help you to feel better about yourself, give you confidence to deal with issues, and a new way of life. The house is brill, we have our ups and downs but there are 16-17 lads in so there are bound to be but it is a good place. It sets you up to live like a normal human being.
As I look to the future – well I have not given it much thought but I hope to get to Galligreaves and I am doing the four suggested things – attending meetings, 12 Steps, offering service volunteering and getting a sponsor. I am looking forward to a new life.