Ex-Addict Abraham Details Decade Lost to Drugs, Job, and Family Strain

Abraham, a man currently on the path to recovery from drug addiction, recently laid bare the devastating impact substance abuse had on his life, detailing how it robbed him of a decade, his employment, and strained crucial family bonds. His candid testimony was featured on NarcoTales S4 E8, broadcast on NDLEA TV’s YouTube channel last Friday, offering viewers a glimpse into his personal journey from the depths of addiction to the path of healing.

According to Abraham, the stark reality of his addiction hit him hard after he was dismissed from his role at an oil company. The reason? A persistent and 'very offensive smell' emanating from him, which became a significant issue among his co-workers. He recalled instances where, upon his arrival in the office, colleagues would immediately resort to opening air conditioners and windows, alongside liberally spraying air fresheners to mitigate the odour.

Abraham recounted the unfortunate turn of events: 'When I got employed, I got a job opportunity in an oil company. I’ve always said this is a company I was promised. The job was more in my favour than I was given the job I was applying for. People kept complaining that my body was bringing up very offensive smell. Most of the time, when I came to the office, they would open the AC, open the windows, they would be spraying air freshener up and down. I couldn’t last on the job beyond a couple of months. They had to let me go and put me on sick leave,' he stated.

The loss of his employment served as a crucial turning point, prompting him to acknowledge and address his drug dependency. 'At that point, I knew that. That was also the point when I realised that the initial pain that made me start taking it, I was no longer feeling it. But yet, I was taking the drug based on impulse. Whenever the craving comes, I just rush in. It was like automated,' Abraham explained, highlighting the compulsive nature of his drug use even after the initial triggers were gone.

The grip of addiction, Abraham revealed, spread its destructive influence across all facets of his existence, impacting his financial stability, physical well-being, professional trajectory, and personal relationships. He further elaborated that the immense pressure stemming from his addiction contributed to the separation of his parents, who were trying to support him through his ordeal.

“In the course of my addiction challenge and my mom trying to help me, my mom and my dad separated. You can see that it’s not just me that’s affected. It affected my family at large,” Abraham lamented, underscoring the widespread consequences of his struggle.

Even in recovery, Abraham confessed that his bond with his siblings remained fractured. 'My siblings right now, even though I’ve recovered, because of that strain over the years of the addiction, we now feel like strangers. That connection is no longer there,' he shared, expressing the lasting emotional distance.

However, Abraham pinpointed the irreversible loss of time as the most significant casualty of his addiction years. He reflected, 'I lost almost 10 years of my life due to this. So why am I missing this beautiful life for themselves? Getting a job, getting married, just a beautiful life for themselves. I miss those opportunities,' highlighting the missed milestones and experiences.

His addiction began in his mid-20s, and it wasn't until his 30s that he truly grasped the concept of living without the drug-induced euphoria. He drew a poignant distinction: 'I could have saved money, but you can lose money and regain money. But time is something you can’t regain. You can’t regain time,' emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of lost years.

The protracted period of needle injection, he explained, left him with permanent physical scars, impaired his ability to walk normally, and stripped him of the joy of activities he once cherished. 'I think it’s the scars on my body. The scars. Up till now, you know when you just feel, you wake up and you see your body and you’re like, it’s a dream,' Abraham shared, describing the haunting presence of these physical reminders.

He further elaborated on the physical toll: 'The consequence of knowing that I won’t be able to run again. I used to love dancing and that’s gone. Knowing that I’m partially disabled, anytime I need to walk, I need to limp alongside.'

Due to discomfort, Abraham frequently opted for long sleeves and socks to conceal his scars from public view. He also confessed to engaging in extreme behaviors during the peak of his addiction, such as stealing from his own mother and soliciting money from strangers to fund his drug habit.

“I never knew I was capable of stealing. So I stole from my mum when the addiction was, when the crazy was serious,” he admitted. In addition, Abraham revealed that he attempted su*cide three times and found himself reliant on the generosity of strangers for survival. 'Then roaming the streets begging for money from strangers, from shop to shop, going around begging for money like some desperate people do,' he described the depths of his desperation.

His journey to recovery, Abraham affirmed, was significantly bolstered by individuals who maintained their faith in him, notably his pastor, fellow church members, and professional counselors. He disclosed that his initial attempt at rehabilitation spanned approximately one month, but he unfortunately relapsed mere weeks after being discharged from the facility.

However, his subsequent rehabilitation experience proved distinct, largely due to a robust support system that provided continuous monitoring and encouragement. His pastor, he noted, was instrumental in securing his placement in rehabilitation and remained actively engaged throughout his recovery process.

“I did not feel alone. Members of the church even the ones that were doctors sometimes they would come with food, they would come visit and there were a couple of church members that worked in the hospital there. So most of the time they were always checking up on me,” Abraham recounted, expressing gratitude for their unwavering presence.