Drugs in the Northland: Meth

Hear from a Recovering Addict

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It’s one of the most addictive drugs Methamphetamine because it imitates the feel good chemicals in the brain.

The troubling reality is that research finds the number of Meth addicts who will remain sober at least three years after treatment hovers at only around 12–percent.

It took a Superior man two decades to reach the lowest point of his life before letting go of his grasp on meth.

To date, he has been sober for two years.

The man in this story wished to remain anonymous we will call him ‘Rob’.

It’s a stark and haunting reality for Rob.

“I’ve been doing meth for over 15–years,” said the recovering addict.

Despite now being sober the struggle is still real.

“It still sometimes gets to me. I’ve been sober going on two years and I still have the cravings if I see somebody or hear something that reminds me of it. It’s hard, it’s a struggle every day,” explained Rob.

He attends meetings daily to fight his urges.

“I’m on five different mental health drugs and if I don’t take my meds I can tell and people around me can tell,” said Rob.

He first got swept up in the world of drugs and alcohol when he was only 12–years–old and from there it spiraled out of control by the time he was 18–years–old.

“I’ve done pretty much everything, but Meth was my favorite and I just stuck with it,” explained Rob.

He recalled the high as the best feeling in the world.

“It’s just a really good feeling when you do it. You’re unstoppable. You’re the happiest you’ve ever been, but when you come down, basically it’s the total opposite,” said Rob.

He would go on two week benders and then sleep for a few days before getting up and doing it all over again.

Rob told us he would do the most horrific things while on the drug, without a hint of remorse, until he crashed.

“You’re starting to think about what you did in the past two weeks and it’s scary. Starts hitting you. Oh my gosh, I’m going to get in big trouble for this, and then it hits you and you do,” explained Rob.

Rob told us he has 11 felonies on his record, “I live with it every day my past. What I’ve done because of that drug”.

Rob said his lowest point and the moment he vowed to stay clean was a low blow.

“I went to jail again and my daughter said that she didn’t want to talk to me anymore. My mom said the same thing, nobody wanted anything to do with me and that is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” said Rob.

He said he wouldn’t wish an addiction to Meth on his worst enemy.

“It’s the worst feeling you could ever have. You feel like you’re going to die, you wish you would,” explained Rob.

As he continues his recovery he has some words of advice to others who may be struggling.

“So, if anybody out there is using and thinks it’s the worst and (there is) nothing they can do, go to a meeting, it sounds dumb, but it works.”

Rob is proof that it can work, if you want it too.

As Rob plans for the future he will have to stay vigilant in avoiding temptation.

According to ‘Meth Addiction Treatment’ the relapse rate is nearly 90–percent.