Ana
A day in the life of an ex-addict
07:30
I concentrate on being the best mum I can be, the hardest job in the worldAna
The most important challenge I face everyday is getting through the next 24 hours without using drugs. My day usually starts with getting woken up by my daughter Rita, stomping into my room, getting ready for school.
08:00
At 08:00 it's time to feed our dog, Blake.
09:00
I finally surface. Breakfast is a cup of coffee, slices of toasted corn bread with butter and honey. It's without a doubt my favourite meal, because it happens to be the only time of the day in which I experience hunger.
09:30
Afterwards and depending on weather and commitments, it'll either be time for some "me time" (reading, walking or swimming) or I’ll leave for some of the regular voluntary work I do. The voluntary work I do is about supporting and empowering others around drug addiction, HIV and hepatitis C, which are all issues I have personal experience of.
18:00
At the end of my day I take antiretroviral medication, to keep my HIV in check. If I can, I try and go to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Maintaining abstinence, even after being clean for 15 years, takes dedication and N.A meetings really help.
If I have no N.A. meetings to attend I concentrate on being the best mum I can be, the hardest job in the world: cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, talking, discussing, exchanging ideas and opinions, telling Rita off, arguing, laughing and crying...
22:00
When I put my head on the pillow at night, the conscience is clear; another day facing life and all its challenges without taking drugs is over.
