REAL STORIES

Age: 51
Gender: female

I had been a meth addict since I was 18 years old up until I was 45 when the FBI and several state agencies decided to end my addiction. It was during the summer of 2004, under the heavy influence of meth, that I rampaged the city of Atlanta Georgia. It seemed that while I was under the influence of the super strain of meth known as ICE, I decided to steal some ATM machines from several area banks around Atlanta. Actually 7. These ATMs were the large ones located in the drive thrus of the banks I hit. I used heavy duty construction equipment to do this. Hot wiring the large machines and then ramming the ATMs knocking them loose from their foundations and then loading them into awaiting stolen trucks I had commandeered for the crime. I was all over the news and quickly dubbed the " ATM Bandit." It was folly and sheer madness combined with a lot of meth and adrenaline.

I have seen your ads. You use intense scare tactics to reach the youth. I believe you are reaching many and I applaud you for this. The entire story must be told however in order to reach the rest. The rest being those like myself that were already using on a daily basis and in so doing are making disciples of those that are still sitting on the fence deciding.

I have now celebrated 6 years of complete sobriety and the strength of my life is my clear mind and fruitful lifestyle I live. But someone should explain to those addicted to meth that there is hope for them. For until you can save the junkie from his demons and nightmares your endeavors will continue to be uphill. It is the junkie that is bringing the young masses into the knowledge of meth addiction. It is those already enjoying meth that are your greatest adversary. it is those on meth that speak so highly of the pleasures of meth.It is those that manage to be addicted and are still living somewhat normal lives and maintaining normalcy for the worlds eyes to see, but are inwardly strung out and crying for redemption. The youth are not the only ones you should be targeting. Meth addiction is a long journey in and it is a long journey out.

There are only 3 things that a meth addict can look forward to 1 is death the second is prison and the third is he or she will quit. I was given the last 2. I was sent to federal prison for 2 years and then onto state prison for 2 years. I was sent through 11 different facilities in 4 different states over the course of 4 years. While behind the walls my wife of 18 years divorced me, my mother passed away as well as my older brother. I was stuck in isolation cells and solitary confinement and housed with the mentally ill because of the nature of my crime. I was put into a place called NHC. NHC stands for No Human Contact and that is just what it means, No human contact. The worst experience I had though was the actual withdrawals from meth. I went to the gates of hell literally to begin my journey back to the real world. No one can describe to a person the raw savagery of meth addiction withdrawal when the drug is just removed from a main line hard core users life. I can. It is a gnawing sensation worse than a year long tooth ache. The mind is a playground of emotion and distraction when it is accustomed to getting its way and then boom it doesn't get what it wants any more. I did my entire recovery alone. There was no one to comfort me and tell me all would be well. None to pat me on my back and reassure me of my progress. I was put into a hole and fed through a door in a room smaller than a bathroom. The first year I saw 3 people. No one on this planet can tell me about the power of meth addiction, I know it as well as I know who and what it is. It is a stronghold and once it has gotten a foot into a persons life, it will not go away easily. I survived and I have come out of the abyss. I could not have done it on my own choice to stop. I was sent away in order for my life to be given back to me. The man that went away is not the man now writing you. I wrote 10 books while behind the walls and 1 of these books is called " Life after Meth." I am hoping to one day share it with the world.

You are all doing a great job with your ads, keep up the good work. If you can keep one person from going where I have gone then your endeavors have not been in vain.

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