Melissa and Paul both had parents that separated when they were young and started using alcohol and drugs in their early and mid-teens.

Paul dropped out of secondary school but managed to stick at TAFE to start a career and became a father in his early 20’s. The family slowed down his drug and alcohol use but he became an opiate addict on prescription medication after a major surgery. Paul managed to get onto drug replacement therapy but eventually turned to Narcotics Anonymous for help and after 8 months in NA found that he could be truly happy without drugs.

Melissa was able to get through life using drugs and alcohol when she needed to but didn’t consider herself an addict. After her mum died she started depending on drugs and was fortunate to be helped into NA by her ex taking her to her first meeting and she has been clean since her first meeting. Over the years NA has put colour back into her life and given her a sense of self and purpose.

If you have a problem with drugs of any kind, you can call the Narcotics Anonymous helpline on 1300 652 820 or 0488 811 247 or go online at na.org.au.