Highs and lows of an addict
Roberto Ferreira grew up in a normal, happy home with a sister and two caring parents. There were no signs to predict that one day Roberto would slip into the world of addiction.
ALBERTON-Roberto Ferreira grew up in a normal, happy home with a sister, brother and two caring parents. There were no signs to predict that one day Roberto would slip into the world of addiction.
Growing up in the South of Johannesburg, he was a happy child who took part in sport and had good friends. He remembers using marijuana in High School but didn’t become addicted to it.
Roberto started dating a young lady at the age of 20 and she introduced him to drugs. She was working and earning money and bought whatever they wanted. He says that Cat became the drug of his choice due to the euphoria he experienced after taking it.
The problem was the tremendous lows afterwards. He was depressed, slept most of the time and felt very low after the drug wore off. He could only think more of the drug could “pick” him up afterwards. And so a vicious cycle of addiction took over his life.
He was studying at that time, but eventually could not attend lectures and did not complete his studies. He became so desperate that he stole money and sold possessions to fuel his addiction. From the age of 20 to 24 his family were unaware of his problem, but they were worried about his erratic behaviour and strange sleeping and eating patterns.
He started working odd jobs, but would leave the moment he suspected a confrontation or being exposed. He wasn’t able to stay in a job for more that about eight months.
At the age of 24 his parents took him to the doctor for a test, without his knowledge that the blood test was for drugs. When the result came back positive, Roberto said he was hugely relieved. He no longer had to hide and lie. The shame he carried around with him was eating him alive and he knew he was making his family’s life a living hell.
His family rallied around him and supported him through two stints in different rehabilitation centres. Today Roberto works as the marketing person for 1 2 be Free, a rehabilitation centre with a recovery house, intervention and aftercare services.
When asked what the advantages are to being drug free, Roberto said the following: “I have a clean mind and I can think clearly. I can hold down a job, pay my bills, not have car accidents and I can complete tasks. I can confront issues and I no longer run away from reality. My life has meaning, and the relationship with my family has never been this good. I feel I’m a more honest person who lives with integrity.”
His advice to young people: “There is help out there, if I can make it out, anybody can. If friends are putting pressure on you to use, don’t do it! Rather experience the benefits of staying clean and doing well in school or college. Make new friends and know that you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. I don’t even know where the people are that I was trying to be cool with. Life moves on and things change.”
His advice to parents or family members of abusers: “Educate yourself! I believe knowing the disease of addiction will better equip you to help those suffering from addictions. Addiction is not a moral failure, it is a disease.
“There are support groups in the South of Johannesburg specifically for family members. and I believe that love, care and education will help you to take better care of your loved one. “
