"From addiction to helping others"

When I came into Wunya I was an absolute mess. My ex partner disappeared with my kids and I spiraled out of control. I was taking drugs several times a day 3-7 points at a time, drinking up to 50ml of GHB/GBL a day, smoking a pack of cigarettes or more a day, I was drug dealing and doing literally anything I wanted with no care for the consequences. I was living my life off my head and bouncing from hotel to hotel for years. I also had a terrible habit of overdosing, one time I was in a coma for 5 days and woke up and went straight to my friend's car and had another dose. It got so bad I made a new year's resolution to not overdose, I thought I had my habit under control for a few months until I overdosed again, woke up in hospital and police were waiting for me and took me straight to the watchhouse. That's when I called Wunya.

The day I got the call saying they had a bed for me I cried so hard with tears of relief knowing that I had a chance to get out of this life I was getting so tired of, but couldn't manage to leave. I have never in my life had an experience like I did at Wunya. The staff I dealt with were all so amazing and supportive, they held my hand while guiding me through the toughest part of overcoming addiction - dealing with the demons inside your head. It was the first time in my life I felt like I was in a community where I belonged. We were learning, building healthy friendships, learning to follow rules (probably for the first time in my life). The facilities were beautiful and somewhere that I didn't want to run away from. In my opinion, the program was intense (in the best way possible), it felt confronting at times, educational and overall bettered me as a person.

I will never forget Janelle, it was the first time in my life I actually let someone in completely without playing any games. She was the first person to listen to my story and not judge or pity me for it. Being at Wunya was the first time since I was 13 that I actually believed I could do something with my life, be the person I wanted to be, stay away from drugs and most importantly be the parent I wanted to be.

I will forever be changed from my experience at Wunya. I'm now 15.5 months clean and have not even the slightest urge to go back. Being at Wunya I discovered what I want to do with my life. Since leaving Wunya, I have completed a Certificate III in Hospitality for the meantime, a Certificate III in Community Services, a Diploma of Social and Psychological Science, and 2023 will be my second year at uni studying Psychology. I've decided that I want to dedicate my career to helping other people who have been through addiction and want to help them change their lives around. Also, it has been a looong road but the courts have found my babies and I will be seeing them at the end of the month!

I believe that if it wasn't for Wunya, I know I'd be dead by now, there's no doubt about it. Wunya also provided me with lifelong friends who I am still in regular contact with, some of the first healthy relationships I've had in my life.

If you're considering going to Wunya, call them. Right now. Honestly, it will be the best decision you've made since you first touched a substance based on my experience. 

And Wunya, words cannot begin to express how grateful I am so I'm going to have to settle for a simple, thank you so so much.