The Pill: A Short Story

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he pills helped it seem bearable. It got to a point where all I could think about was drugs – getting the cash together, getting on, and getting out of it. When I was a young bloke I’d smoked the odd joint with mates, but when I joined up the job provided all the buzz I needed. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved a drink! But the bottle never got the better of me the way pills and dope did. After I got discharged I really hammered the dope, got stuck on pills too – Xanax and Oxycontin. I got them from my doctor the first time to help me deal with my stress and back pain. Pretty soon I was shopping doctors to get more of the pills, and I even bought them off the net without a script. The more time and energy I put into getting off my face, …show more content…

I’d missed too many access visits and my ex had had enough. Luckily, she had been getting some help for herself and the kids already, and knew where I could go to get sorted out. I called the VVCS, with my ex there to make sure I didn’t bottle at the last minute. The first time I actually opened up about everything that had happened in the last few years was tough. I’d never really put everything together, but the counsellor was pretty good, and helped me work out where the wheels had fallen off, and how things had got gradually worse over time. I’d really avoided facing up to things - I guess I was living in a bit of a fog. It was really hard to own up to everything that I was using, including the pills. In the end I got a referral to see a specialist drug and alcohol counsellor. He linked me in with their doctor who could help me wean off the pills I was taking. Those were hard months, but I made some progress. I stopped smoking the dope straight off – it wasn’t as hard as I’d thought – and I’m taking some different pills. Now I only take them when I’m supposed to – not gulping down a handful whenever I get pissed off. I’m getting some physio for my back injury and I’ve even had some sessions with an OT to help me get back into some normal activities and look after myself

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