NO-ONE ever plans to get addicted to heroin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For Shaun Peters, 38, like many people, his journey down the path towards addiction began with “just one hit” because a few of his mates were already using.
What followed was a 20-year spiral into addiction, pain, and unspeakable acts.
And while it might have started out as a bit of fun, it almost cost Mr Peters his children, his marriage and his life.
An addiction to heroin was nothing he ever saw coming.
As an 18-year-old, he knew a couple of people that used, so he thought he would give it a go as well.
“It was a lot of fun, but looking back there was a lot of bad things that I had to do to get the money for the drugs,” he said.
As he got older, the drug habit continued, but now Mr Peters was also taking them with his wife Hayley.
Then, almost two years ago, the couple hit rock bottom and decided together that something had to change and they both stopped using.
“Instead of having fun doing it, you use it as a medication,” Mr Peters said.
“You’re literally sick until you have it. You get cramps in your legs and you can’t even walk to the toilet.
“I haven’t used for 18 months … it’s been tough.
“The first three or four months were the hardest, but after that I thought if I’ve gone this long I can keep going.
“We’ve [he and his wife] been together 12 years. She’s on the same path now, [so] it’s much better. I’m really proud of myself and really proud of my wife.”
Life is better now. I wake up in the morning not feeling sick. I’ve started having nice things now. Before, anything nice I had I sold for drugs.
- Shaun Peters
Late last year, as Mr Peters took up the first job he had ever held, he said it felt like he had been given another chance at life.
“When I stopped taking drugs two years ago I started another life,” he said.
“It makes me think ‘why didn’t I do this earlier’.”
Asked what he thinks of the person he was when he was using heroin, Mr Peters said he is ashamed of his behaviour and what he had become.
“I’m lucky to be here … people at the hospital are amazed I’m alive,” he said.
These days, Mr Peters will admit he is completely different.
“Life is better now. I wake up in the morning not feeling sick. I’ve started having nice things now. Before, anything nice I had I sold for drugs,” he said.
“People are talking to me now like they never would before.”
But, Mr Peters said keeping busy will be vital to his health in the future.
“If you get bored you might get on it again,” he said.