Brian's* story

I used to be a meth user. After my dad passed away a friend of mine came and picked me up and told me it would make me feel better. From the first time I used it I was hooked. In the months that followed I had five other family members die and things just spiraled out of control. Eventually I began manufacturing and then I got caught and went to jail.

After I was released I cleaned up and moved to a new city but I fell in with the wrong crowd and began using again. One morning I woke up and realised I had gone really wrong. I had $150 in my pocket so bought a plane ticket to a city down south where my son lived and got as far away as possible from everyone I knew. Things were going well and I moved up to Christchurch when my son did.

Then I was working one night and when I was out buying supplies for my employer I ran into an old dealer who I owed money to. I ended up giving him the cash that I was carrying from my employer. I went straight back and told them what I had done and they fired me. I was prosecuted and I did seven months home detention.

I started at Oak Tree to get back in the workforce. Working at Oak Tree gives you hope and goes to show that people are willing to give second chances.

Mikey and Tim work with you and alongside you. If you have a problem they don’t push you away they talk to you about it. I like that it’s fitness orientated and it’s daytime work.

I’m doing a lot better, I love waking up in the morning now. I used to have a lot of bad thoughts but I don’t get those now. It’s a nice feeling to be able to pay rent each week and have money in your pocket. One day I would like to own my own restaurant.

I would say to other people thinking of making a change: just do it, it’s got to be done, do it for yourself. You’re always worth more than you think you are.

*name changed