Drug programme gave me a future

Published on Friday 4 February 2011 12:13

A MOTHER-of-three who beat a decades-long drug addiction thanks to a city rehabilitation project is backing a new multi-million-pound scheme to help others facing similar problems.

Caroline Hillen has turned her life around because of help provided by the NHS Lothian and council project.

She is also the face of the latest Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EADP) five-year strategy, which is being launched today.

The initiative will aim to crack down on drink and drug-related problems, with the Craigmillar 45-year-old saying it was similar investment which changed her life. It is understood around 6 million will be invested.

Ms Hillen's life of drug abuse began when she became dependent on slimming tablets at the age of 12. Her addiction escalated over years to a heroin addiction.

She used the death of her mother to change her life, a move that was seen through by the council and NHS drug referral team.

She is now studying at Jewel and Esk College, but said being clean since the end of 2009 has not been without its challenges.

She said: "I struggled with an overwhelming sense of not knowing who I was.

"Being completely drug-free can cause a heightened sense of all senses, so everyday experiences become distressing because they feel so intense.

"I thought I was going mad and felt lonely. I had plans and hopes, but I was so overwhelmed with misery that I just sat, day after day, with my head in my hands.

"It felt so bad at times I often wondered whether or not giving up drugs was worth it."

However, when she was sent to the drug referral team last July, her recovery accelerated. She took on a course with the Thistle Foundation charity and got involved with other voluntary organisations.

"Despite a busy schedule doing two courses and caring for my family, my new-found energy meant I was finally able to tackle redecorating my flat," she said. "It's like my brain's now a sponge desperate to learn stuff. I've got confidence when I had none before. I finally see a future for myself."

It is success stories like hers that the new project aims to generate. Among the aims are tacking Lothians' binge drinking culture and improving services for drug and drink addicts who want to help themselves.

Nick Smith, joint programme manager for EADP, said: "The new strategy will enable organisations to have a common approach to addressing the problems caused by alcohol and drugs."