What started out as casual drinking and cocaine use at weekends gradually increased and escalated into everyday use. I dealt with the comedowns from using crack cocaine by smoking heroin. This unfortunately turned into a habit! I initially tried to seek help in but no help was available other than a substitution programme of daily methadone and sleeping pills, which only made me worse and more dependant. I couldn’t find a way out, this continued for 9 years. I was also trying to deal with the loss of a family member, which was making my addiction worse than ever. At this point I was using heroin, methadone, smoking crack and taking Benzo’s daily to numb the pain – I was existing rather than living. As a result of this, I ended up in the hospital due to my drug use and nearly died. However, this did not stop me from using. I felt so desperate and helpless. With the help of family, who supported me in getting the help I needed at Villa Paradiso rehab, I am now completely drug-free for the first time in 20 years. This is due to the support and therapy that I have received here. The setting is very conducive to healing and I know I have my life back again. I feel this place is “home from home”. The food has been amazing. This has been the first time in years of eating healthy and appreciating food again. I can’t remember the last time I felt so physically and emotionally well. I cannot stress enough that it’s never too late to take control of your life again and if I can do it so can you. This is the real deal! Emma, Ireland