Kate, 16, turned to a new social media initiative for help on how to beat her problems with drugs.
There wasn’t a major reason for why I started taking drugs. My friends were using and it looked like fun. Little did I know it would send me into a deadly downward spiral. I was pretty nervous before my first time. I was worried about what was going to happen to me. But I still did it. It was Cannabis and soon after as I was coming down I felt paranoid and started freaking out.
Soon my new lifestyle started to affect my schooling to the point my school got involved due to me skipping school and using a lot which was affecting my performance. I was using a form of substance every day of the week and I’d go to parties every weekend and use. I was taking drugs like Cannabis, ecstasy, speed and LSD.
My family didn’t know about my drug use until I told I built up the courage to tell my mum. Then I started seeing a counsellor that my mum had organised. My school also got involved to assist where they could and someone recommended the PALM Program (Program for Adolescent Life Management, Ted Noffs Foundation) to my mum.
I was offered all of the above support by the Ted Noffs Foundation and when CALM (Continuing Adolescent Life Management) was developed by the Ted Noffs Foundation, they would check in to see how I was via Facebook and/or call me as continuing support/care. I found this helpful; as I could be on Facebook and if I wanted to chat to someone or needed some support, I could send CALM a message and they would call me straight away.
Part of my recovery also involved doing fun things like going to the movies, ten pin bowling and learning how to have fun without the use of alcohol and other drugs.
I also did a lot of exercise which I really enjoyed like going to the beach and the gym. I also learnt a lot of life skills such as cooking, cleaning, waking up early, learning how to write a resume and how to go for a job and other skills that have now paid off for me.
It taught me to have confidence in myself and I learnt to have fun without drugs and being able to let others offer me support.
I have learnt a great deal since my first day of entering CALM. I now have confidence, I work, I go to school and I have dreams. I have a better relationship with my family and I feel healthier both mentally and physically.
My advice to other teens is, everyone will go through hard times in their life and some will turn to drugs for support or the answer and it’s not a wise thing to do. Drugs will only cloud your mind and create even more issues for you to overcome.
I would also suggest finding someone who you are comfortable with and then let them what you are going through and how you feel. Speak to your school, family or give Ted Noffs a call.
*Model is in no way associated with this story*
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