Former teenage heroin addict reveals her transformation from ‘all-time low’

A mother was a decade-long heroin addict, spending practically $680 on the substance per week — however she kicked the behavior as soon as she hit all-time low.

When Shannon Ashley was 13, she tried heroin to “show off” in entrance of her sister — a dare that shortly led to a lifetime of crime to pay for the behavior, together with shoplifting and stealing.

Ashley, now 30, stated she hit “rock bottom” when she misplaced her son, her residence and went to jail for a second time for breaking the circumstances of her license.

After that, she determined she wanted to vary her way of life and used methadone to wean off the medication whereas doing a particular constructing expertise course in jail to assist her make sense of her dependancy.

“I’d be dead if I hadn’t gone to prison,” Ashley admitted. “I met the most amazing people in prison staff, and I benefited hugely from the routine.”

The content material creator from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, shared that she lacked stability rising up with a “hectic” residence life and struggling by faculty.

“Mum tried doing everything, but we lived on the breadline in a very poor area. It was rough,” she shared.

“I can’t believe it when I look back on the things I did, I feel awful about them, but I can only move forward and accept it. It’s all brought me to where I am now.”

She first began smoking heroin in the summertime of 2008 when she was an adolescent and would spend about $70 on a gram — however it will solely final her a number of hours.

In December 2009, Ashley bought pregnant — however she continued on together with her heroin dependancy.

“It was such a complicated set of feelings. I hated it and wanted it, too. The drug had a hold over me,” she admitted. “I started using methadone when I fell pregnant, but then I started taking heroin again too.” 

When her son, now 15, was born, he was three months early in May 2010 and weighed simply 2 lbs 4 oz.

For the subsequent 4 years, she was out and in of dependancy — however when she wasn’t utilizing heroin, she was hooked on the methadone.

She began to spiral towards all-time low when her ex-husband was arrested and despatched to jail for 5 years for supplying medication.

She began to take any drug she might discover, together with amphetamines and crack, and would steal no matter she might to pay for it — and even used her $900 profit funds to purchase medication and begin dealing to others.

During this time, she developed paranoia, misplaced her residence and her son was despatched away to reside together with her mom.

She struggled with withdrawal whereas in jail however was launched on license after serving 4 of the six yr time period. But she took medication and ran away, which landed her again in jail for one more yr.

That was what she wanted for a ultimate wake-up name.

“It was stricter, but it also dawned on me that this could be my life, and I realized that wasn’t what I wanted,” Ashley stated. “In prison I prayed every night that I’d be able to stop taking heroin and suddenly I felt my prayers were answered.”

“It really was like someone up there was watching.”

She quickly realized she was in command of her life, and what she wished a household, a job and a “normal, regular life.”

“People on drugs can’t accept help. You don’t believe it’s drawing you into addiction,” she stated. “”People tried to inform me I’d get addicted. I simply couldn’t hear them. I used to be certain it wouldn’t occur to me.”

While in jail, she cooked for the employees and earned {qualifications} in math, English, hospitality and catering.

She was launched from jail in March 2021 and lived in supported housing. In May, she bought her son again and began volunteering in a charity store.

Now she makes a dwelling on TikTok, incomes between $4,000 and $17,500 per 30 days so she will be able to get off of the job seekers allowance.

Ashley met her spouse Kathleen, 32, after getting clear by TikTok in November 2021, and so they ultimately bought married in May 2024 and had two daughters, now 15 and three months outdated, by IVF.

“I am honestly proud of how hard I have worked and what I have achieved. I want every one to know that recovery is possible,” she stated. “I’ve gone from the worst of the worst to the best I can ever be.”

“I honestly can’t explain how my mindset suddenly changed. It was like a flash before my eyes, I just knew I could change my life.”

Due to her addition, Ashley has everlasting injury to her liver and suffers from PTSD — however she stated she is “so happy now.”

“I want people to know it’s worth accepting help from drug workers, and believe in yourself,” she continued. “If you have a relative on drugs get help, because you will be struggling too. Stick with them, knowing somebody is there means a lot.”

“I used to think I didn’t deserve all these lovely things, but I’ve worked hard and I don’t have to be hard on myself.”

“We don’t realize what a privilege it is to sit on the sofa and switch on the TV or make a coffee without having to inject or smoke something first.”