Drugs! Poverty! Rehab! Clean!
Those of you expecting one of may tales of drug-fuelled whimsy may be in for a surprise!

I have just (two weeks ago) been released from a resdential rehab centre. Over the last ten years I've been a regular user of drugs and drink and over the last few months things became uncontrollable and I lost the plot.

These are the highlights:

I was living day to day, sleeping where I could and was based in a flat with no heating or hot water.

Crack and heroin - not clever.

I sold all my possessions.

This year I earned £47,000. I have nothing to show for it. I very nearly got fired and would have if I hadn't been so very good at what I do for a living. They sent me to rehab instead of getting rid of me completely.

I lost interest in my appearance.

I was involved in a lot of crime, and am facing fraud charges next month. Possibly a prison sentence.

I was acting in an out of character way pretty much all the time.

The people I was knocking about with were scum.

I'm out now, working hard, and have earned £3,000 since then. I have a lovely house, some electical gadgets and a whoile load of clothes. I have heating, and appreciate these little things.

Drugs; they're not big, they're not clever, and they can fuck your life completely.
( disasterprone "Pyjamas caused the Holocaust", Sun 21 Dec 2008, 15:07, 14 replies)

Hey
Congratulations on getting into and out of rehab. I've my own problems (not substance related) and was last admitted to hospital earlier this year.

If you need / want to talk, I'm more than happy to listen.
(Eds Meds Mathskillz=1,Socialskillz=0, Sun 21 Dec 2008, 15:16, closed)

Thanks!
That's kind
( disasterprone "Pyjamas caused the Holocaust", Sun 21 Dec 2008, 15:19, closed)

i wish you
not to go to jail
congratulations for getting back on track
(bucsie, Sun 21 Dec 2008, 16:51, closed)

Sounds like your back on the good track...
All the best you and have a great new year.
(mr-lizard Hell's teeth man!, Sun 21 Dec 2008, 17:26, closed)

disasterprone!
I've! missed! you!
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Sun 21 Dec 2008, 18:05, closed)

I've! Missed! You! Too!
But it's lovely to be back
( disasterprone "Pyjamas caused the Holocaust", Tue 23 Dec 2008, 18:57, closed)

Congratulations
and good luck.

Hope things work out for the best.

hugs
x
( Rev. Jayneflakes Buy my book, I need the cash for drugs and hookers, Sun 21 Dec 2008, 19:05, closed)

Good to have you back
x
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Sun 21 Dec 2008, 22:50, closed)

You don't do things by halves
Good to see you back on here though DP. Sounds like you're looking at life on the other side of where you were a few months ago

Here's hoping it's the start of some positive steps.

Good luck mate.

PJM
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Sun 21 Dec 2008, 23:15, closed)

Welcome back DP
Looking forward to many more Exclamation! Mark! Filled! Titles! in future :)
( chart cat has an itch, Mon 22 Dec 2008, 1:14, closed)

What! Happened! To! The! Headlines?
Give us the old DP back!

(Seriously, though: nice to have you back. And nice to hear that you're getting yourself together. Best of luck with it.)
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 22 Dec 2008, 9:17, closed)

Worked in a court until recently and learned a few helpful things.
1. Listen carefully to your brief - he/she wants to keep you out of prison. Do as he/she tells you.

2. In court, dress as well as you possibly can. You need a suit, new or freshly pressed shirt/tie, polished shoes.* Borrow or Oxfam if necessary, it's worth it.
Your brief will draw the court's attention to your appearance and I promise you it'll help. (See example below!)

3. Your brief will present your recent rehab/employment history to the court, possibly including a letter of support from your employers.
Rehab and employment are major factors in keeping people out of prison.

*I've seen young men who were definitely going down - for breach of probation, say - turn up in scruffy trackies.
I've personally advised them to ask a mate to lend them a suit. They've laughed at me but rung a mate anyway, who's then sped round in his weddin' suit.

They've swapped togs with minutes to spare and the offender's gone into court looking smart, and come out with another few months' probation and a big grin.

I've even got security guards to lend offenders their ties - it all helps.

SO...
Fraud's serious but if you make a good impression on the day and your brief presents lots of mitigation you're more likely to get a community sentence, like a fine, probation, unpaid work, curfew etc. There's even the possibility of a suspended sentence if you're of previous good character. Your brief will know the score and will level with you on sentencing.

Oh, and pleading guilty at the first opportunity cuts down the sentence too.

It may surprise you to learn that nobody in the court actually wants you to go down. Everyone wants you to go home and live a happy, quiet life. Good luck!
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Mon 22 Dec 2008, 9:24, closed)

Nice! To! Have! You! Back!
I've missed you mate.

Hope things turn out ok in court.

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Mon 22 Dec 2008, 11:50, closed)

Good to have you back, sir!

Welcome back to the warm, round bosom of B3ta...

We're all scum here too...but a better class of scum ;)

DP back amongst us...It's like a Christmas miracle!

*gets all festive*

Now get on with writing some posts...I've missed you, you old scrote!
( Pooflake braces for an onslaught..., Mon 22 Dec 2008, 13:26, closed)