A recovering drug addict, Abraham, has disclosed that his prolonged battle with substance abuse cost him nearly 10 years of his life, damaged his family relationships and eventually made him lose his job.
Abraham shared his experience during an episode of NarcoTales S4 E8, aired on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s television channel on YouTube on Friday.
He said he realised the seriousness of his addiction after he was dismissed from an oil company because of an offensive body odour that became noticeable to his colleagues.
According to him, his colleagues would open the office windows and switch on the air conditioner whenever he arrived, while repeatedly spraying air fresheners to mask the smell.
Abraham said he could only retain the job for a few months before the company placed him on sick leave and eventually relieved him of his duties.
He explained that losing the job forced him to confront his drug dependence, noting that he had continued taking drugs even after the pain that initially led him to substance use had disappeared.
He said the addiction subsequently affected his finances, health, career and relationships, adding that its consequences extended to his immediate family.
According to him, his parents eventually separated while his mother was making efforts to help him overcome the addiction.
He added that his relationship with his siblings also suffered, saying years of strain had created a distance between them even after his recovery.
Abraham said the loss of time remained the most painful consequence of his addiction, as he missed opportunities to build a career, save money, get married and enjoy a normal life.
He disclosed that he became addicted in his mid-20s and only began to understand the extent of what he had lost when he reached his 30s.
He said years of injecting drugs also left him with scars, difficulty walking and an inability to participate in activities he once enjoyed, including dancing.
Abraham revealed that he often wore long-sleeved clothes and socks to conceal the scars on his body because he felt uncomfortable displaying them in public.
He also admitted that his addiction pushed him into behaviours he never imagined he was capable of, including stealing from his mother and begging strangers for money to buy drugs.
According to him, he attempted suicide three times during the period and at some point resorted to moving from shop to shop and begging for money.
Abraham, however, said he eventually overcame the addiction with the support of his pastor, church members, psychologists and other professionals.
He said his first rehabilitation attempt lasted about a month, but he relapsed shortly after leaving the facility.
He explained that his subsequent rehabilitation was more successful because he had a strong support system that continued to monitor, encourage and assist him after he left the facility.
Abraham said his pastor played a major role in securing his rehabilitation and remained involved throughout his recovery.
He disclosed that church members, including medical professionals, regularly visited him and provided food and other forms of assistance during his rehabilitation.
He said adjusting to life after rehabilitation was challenging, particularly when he returned home and discovered that he had lost his accommodation.
According to him, his pastor, psychologist and other members of his support network helped him navigate the difficult period.
He also took up wig-making and other hair-related skills to keep himself occupied and give him a sense of purpose.
Abraham said engaging in productive activities and later becoming involved in advocacy helped him maintain his recovery.
He now speaks to students and other members of the public about the dangers of drug abuse and the possibility of recovery.
He urged people battling addiction to acknowledge their situation, speak out and seek professional assistance.
“Addiction flourishes in silence. Speak out. Seek help,” he advised.
