Carl's story
I got involved in Cannabis when I was about 18, it was mostly social smoking with friends, but not because I felt pressured into it but more because everyone else was doing it. I never considered my relationship with drugs a problem and I had even on a couple of occasions tried to give up but to no avail.
I hadn’t worked consistently since my late teens and, among other problems, this factor seemed to drive a wedge between myself and my partner and we argued constantly until we eventually split for good. By this point I could be spending more than £100 on my Cannabis habit every week. Without a job bringing in a regular income and 13 children and step children to support, financial problems had started to become a major issue.
It dawned on me that if I really wanted to overcome my dependency I needed to make big changes not just for myself but for the sake of my kids.
I first heard about NORCAS around five years ago through a GP and social services. A few years back I had no interest at all in getting help any kind of help and I didn’t really feel I had a problem, but two or three years on, with a relationship in tatters, financial problems and my two youngest in a child protection plan, I finally decided it was time to make a big change to my life.
In 2009 I finally contacted NORCAS for help. What I felt I needed was an outside ear, someone who didn’t know me, to listen and not judge me for my actions. NORCAS provided counselling and guidance which encouraged me to give up the Cannabis and make positive lifestyle changes.
I am aware a couple of my eldest have experimented with drug use, which I know I can’t stop them from doing, but at the very least I can be a better role model. I have been clean for well over a year now and that is a result of both personal choice and much needed guidance from NORCAS.
Early on in my additive behaviour counselling I was recommended for Business in the Community which provided a stepping stone towards employment. It wasn’t something I felt ready for straight away but with help from my substance misuse worker, Emma, it only took a few months before I felt ready to enter the scheme and embark on full time employment. I had a two day placement with B&Q through the ‘Business in the Community’ project which resulted in me being offered a full time job and more recently having the courage to apply for a supervisory position.
Carl is also now a school governor at one of his children’s school.