Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Support for cocaine users
A NEW Cocaine Anonymous meeting is to be established in Dundee, helping people on their journey to recovery.
One former drug user who is helping to launch the mutual support group shared his story with The Courier after three years free from drugs.
Paul, 26, who asked to remain anonymous in line with the organisation’s traditions, started using cannabis and other “party drugs” at around 17 when he left school.
Paul realised he may have a problem with his drug use at around 19, but was not sure where to go for help until he found Cocaine Anonymous (CA).
He said: “I suppose throughout high school I started drinking at weekends.
“I was about 17 when I left school when I started what I would call regularly using.
“It progressed rapidly from there.”
Paul stressed that CA meetings are open to all, regardless of which drugs they use.
“It’s for people who use cocaine and other mind-altering substances,” he said.
He also said the meeting would be open and friendly, with people able to listen in and made to feel comfortable.
“When I first went I remember I was sort of standing outside, a bit apprehensive” Paul added.
“A couple of people who were already in the room came and introduced themselves.
“The main thing I was told was to listen in and to listen for similarities and not differences.
“You can speak if you want to. “One thing that has always stayed with me is at my second meeting there was a guy around three times my age who shared something.
“He had a lot of different circumstances.
“He used alcohol, and he’d never used drugs which is why I was there, but I could identify so many similarities with him,” he continued.
The group will meet between 6 and 7pm every Thursday at the Salvation Army, Strathmore Lodge, Dundee.
Paul said he ended up in a position where he would cut down his use before falling back into a cycle of addiction, and CA was the last thing on his list.
“I had all these ideas about what addiction was but hearing other people’s stories changed my attitude and made me realise I could benefit,” he added.
“There’s no harm in giving it a shot.”
Simon Little, independent chairman of the Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership, welcomed the new meeting.
“Fellowship meetings of this kind, and other forms of mutual support run by recovery communities, are hugely valuable,” he said.
“People can attend such meetings in confidence and they will receive support from those who understand their situation and can show recovery is possible.
“I wish the group well and hope that the new year sees a further flourishing of mutual support in the city.”