Katie

Family member of someone with a lived experience of addiction

My partner was more than just a "junkie" he was loving, caring and intelligent and he was afraid to seek help because the stigma of having an addiction was just too damaging. I decided to seek support, learn about addiction and make sure I was still looking after myself, and I became stronger and more assertive within myself and our relationship. The day I had to say "you're going to die and I can't sit by and watch it happen - it's too heartbreaking" was the day that he realised he was about to lose everything because he was no longer in control.

I chose to stick by him, he was more than just heroin and now he is my amazing husband in recovery.