Blog: Managing my addiction at university
Hi, my name is “John” (name has been changed for confidentiality) and I’m a final year humanities student at UoB. I’m also an addict in recovery. I wanted to share about my history with addiction and how this has impacted my experience at university.
Where it began
My relationship with substances began when I started drinking at 11 years old. From here, my substance use steadily progressed through the years; I took my first drug when I was 12 years old and found Class As (considered the most dangerous type of illegal drugs) at the age of 14.
My addiction really kickstarted when I turned 15, when I found my main drugs of choice. From this point on my substance use rapidly transformed from binging with friends on the weekend, to full blown drug use all day, every day. I remember by Sixth form (education from ages 16-18), waking up and downing shots and a couple of lines was as ingrained in my morning routine as brushing my teeth.
My path to recovery was not easy. I endured a failed attempt at rehab, where I relapsed six hours after leaving, several near-fatal overdoses, one of which nearly resulted in me having permanent brain damage, and getting kicked out of both my parents’ houses. Eventually, I was given an ultimatum: rehab (again) or homelessness. Being a big fan of having a bed, I opted for rehab. I completed a 14-week program in the Midlands, moved into a sober house in Staffordshire for nine months, and joined the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship. After 1.5 years sober, I felt confident to return to university.
The road to recovery
I was anxious to attend university; I had a pre-conceived notion that it would be constant partying and substance use. I was shocked to discover that virtually no one I met during freshers (Welcome) had taken Class A drugs before. I was even more pleased to find university an incredibly accommodating place for sober individuals. There was no shortage of sober people, socials, and societies.
I thought I would struggle to make friends or wouldn’t be invited to things. This could not have been further from the truth. I have made amazing friends, started working to address my defects and actually performed well academically for the first time in my life. I’ve had the opportunity to do things I never would have bothered to with addiction. These include volunteering for several amazing organisations, hosting a radio show spinning Northern Soul and having an actual MMA fight in front of a 300-person crowd (just don’t ask who won!).
Better Than Well
At university, I maintained my recovery through various means. I picked up hobbies such as martial arts and running. I would frequently attend a local Buddhist centre, working on my practice and meditation. Crucially, I continued to attend and take service at local recovery groups.
However, the most significant factor that helped me maintain my recovery was Better Than Well (BTW), UoB’s addiction recovery service. Aside from the lure of eating at the Balti Triangle, BTW was the major incentive for me to attend UoB. The support programme provides two meetings on campus a week, sober socials, meditation classes and 1-1 support from the staff.
Aside from all the sessions on offer, BTW has established a community of individuals suffering from addiction on campus. This allowed me to meet others who understand addiction, and forge friendships where we support each other. In my second year, I began seriously engaging with BTW, attending all the meetings and volunteering for the service.
Through this blog, I really hope I have shown you that recovery is possible, sustainable at university and ultimately, recovery leads to more positive experiences. Undeniably, drinking alcohol is a large part of ‘typical’ university culture for many. However, I don’t in the slightest feel I’ve missed out.
Getting into recovery is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s enhanced my life and university experience. Naturally, some days I struggle, or cause upset to others, but it’s a far cry from what could be if I was still in addiction.
Our Better Than Well (BTW) programme is designed to support students who are in recovery while they study with us. Run by students and coordinated by academic staff from the Institute for Mental Health, the programme offers peer-to-peer support, social events and weekly meetings for students wishing to maintain abstinence-based recovery. Find out more about Better Than Well (BTW) on the student intranet.