I am the last born in a family of three boys. At 25 years now, I didn’t know how much pain my parents endured due to my addiction some year back.
I grew up in a loving home where neither parent was a drug abuser nor an alcoholic. My parents are humble and loving people who provided me with everything I needed. There’s no single day I ever lacked.
It wasn’t until I completed my primary school education when I first tasted alcohol. A friend gave me alcohol in form of sachets. I took but later vomited it all. That would initiate the beginning of my long struggle with alchol and other drugs.
When I later joined Nyahururu Highway High school, my drug habits intensified.
In form 1 I was taking alcohol and using miraa in secret. Sometimes after closing school I wouldn’t go back home. I’d be out drinking and abusing drugs with friends in the name of ‘having fun’.
My Campus life later bacame the opium of the freedom I had always desired. I loved studying and was determined to complete the course I was pursuing. But after classes I had so much time and freedom to drink. I was gradually getting addicted.
After Campus, I was lucky to get a contract job in my hometown. The job was awesome, and the pay was good. But I would hardly have any money for my expenses. Every single cent would drown to alcohol and drugs. By mid month I would be asking for an advance pay for the next month.
Months later when the contract was over, I reached lowest moments in my addiction life. I had no money to purchase alcohol like before. My dad later gave me some plots to run as the landlord. For my dad, he was giving me the avenue to help me sustain my life. On the other hand I took advantage to continue satisfying my addiction.
From 2017-2018, I reached rock bottom. I hated my life and was contemplating suicide. I had become miserable and wanted to end it all..My father no longer trusted me after I stole several times from him. He would send people to watch my steps and secretly follow me wherever I went. It was also during this period that I faced a major relationship crisis which deeply affected me.
I sent a text to parents saying ‘Nimechoka na hii life, tukutane juu’ (I’m tired with life, let’s meet in another life). They hurriedly came and broke my door worried about my next action. It was from there that they started seeking help for my situation.
I was tricked into going to rehab through my brother who was in contact with an intervention personnel from Jorgs Rehab. The first few days in the rehab were tough as I had to cope with the new environment where I couldn’t access alcohol, miraa and weed.
My rehab life from November 2018 to January 2019 was a total transformation. I embraced the program with total commitment and positive attitude. Soon I was out after 3 months of treatment.
Looking back now, I feel grateful that I got a chance to be in the rehab and found recovery. The journey wasn’t easy but with the support of my family, Jorgs staff and my counselor –Bernard they made it all possible. It was also through my willingness that I found sobriety.
Sometimes there’s a feeling of regret about so much money I wasted on drugs and alcohol. But I’m happy with my current position. I moved on and opened a business which is doing good. I also reconciled with my parents and apologized for the many times I hurt them with my actions.
From my experience, I’ve learned that addiction isn’t the best place to be. Besides the addict, family members also get deeply affected. Another key element I’ve learnt is to stay away from people who are only your friends when you drink and buy each other alcohol. I lost a lot of friends after recovery, but it no longer matters because I’m more at peace living sober than ever.
—As narrated by Joseph Kiragu