Update!

[maggiem]

Hi there,
Although I have not post any comments for a while I have logging on on a daily basis and keeping up to date with interest.  I have noticed that it is very quiet recently!  It is still a shame that the carers corner is not used, there must be a hell of a lot of people out there that need somewhere to ask for advice and help. I sure did.
Well things are still on the up, she is now on 30ml and been clean since late last year. Still smoking the occasional joint I believe and finding it hard to quit the drink but I am happy for her.  She is coming to the end of her Hep C treatment and we hope she has cleared the virus although she has forgotten her pills quite a lot due to her 'foggy brain'!!
The main problem with her drinking is boredom, she has tried to get a job but cannot, not even bar work (rather she didn't anyway). She has so many gaps on her CV due to her addiction and what with convictions for shoplifting it is proving difficult.   Reality checks are now clicking in and she realises what she has wasted!  3 good A levels, 12 A-C's means nothing now. How can she get on track again?  I have suggested voluntary work but she needs money, wants to move out and become independent(can't blame her, we must drive her to drink)
If anyone can offer some words of wisdom please do.
Maggie

[Ellie]

Hi Maggie,
Thought I would write a quick one to say that after over 10 years of drug use I too am looking for work etc but it is hard as you realise that there are a lot of things you can't do due to criminal records etc. but I think that it can be done.I am looking at volunteering at the moment and have my appointment today to fill in the forms and finalise the work I want to do. I have been told by a few people that although we would all like to earn money, volunteering will not only give you your confidence back but you never know where it will lead. I spoke to one person who is now in full time work after volunteering first.

Secondly it will give her a new focus and she won't be able to drink at work!!! I drank for a number of years and now I must drink once every couple of months. This was because I was keeping busy by joining small art classes run by the council.

It is sad when you "grow up" and realise that you have wasted your life and education; you want to work but can't but I strongly believe that it can be turned around.
I have days when I think to myself. "well I can't work etc any more because of what I did, so whats the point in stopping the drugs etc" But something stops me going back down that road. Not sure what but mainly "I'm not going to be beaten" comes to mind.

The amount of effort that goes into buying/getting drugs/the money for is amazing and you always come out with what you want. If we all put that amount of energy into doing something good/different we can all achieve what we want!!!!!

Hope that helped.
Ellie