Recovered ice user Chantelle has just one message for others: don’t leave it too late to give up.
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An ice user for four years (see story above), Chantelle lives daily with the effects of her former addiction.
She said most people turned to the drug to escape an underlying issue - and would not give up until that issue was addressed.
For Chantelle, the ‘issue’ was the tragic death of her mother and brother.
“I had to give up, but until I found out what that core underlining factor was, I chose not to live life without them,” she said.
Chantelle shared her story hoping to help at least one person – whether an addict, their family or friends.
She said addicts must want to give up, rather than being pushed.
She tearfully pleaded that addicts not leave their decision too late.
“People doing the drug because they don’t want to face reality - go and get help for that core problem,” she said.
“Ice is not going to fix it. It’s going to destroy you. You are going to lose everything and everyone. There is help, you just have to want to change.”
While Chantelle agreed ice was a community challenge, she warned family and friends of addicts not to push too hard.
“I got pushed so many times in court to do counselling, do this, do that,” she said.
“I wasn’t ready, because my underlining factor was: ‘I don’t want to live life without my mum and brother, I am not giving up ice’. What’s the point of getting help, when I’m not willing to give it up?
“If they don’t want the change, stop pushing. The more you push, the more they’re going to go back to it, so they don’t have to deal with it.”
Chantelle said her own shift came with the help of one of her mum’s friends, support in jail, and a caring counsellor.
She finally agreed to accept help from her estranged father.
“He was there the day I got out and I just ran into his arms and I couldn’t be more grateful,” she said.
Related coverage: From A-student to jail: An ice journey