My name is Nasreen Karvouniaris ...

A year ago I’d have laughed at you if you’d said what I’d be like today ‘cos I didn’t think I’d get anywhere near where I am now. I’m 32 and up until February this year I’d always lived at home. There were family problems at home that made life difficult, but I was also using drugs – and had been for 10 years. What a waste! I was in a mess and got in trouble – I was a bad person. I’d try to come off now and again but it never worked, maybe because of my home environment, I don’t know. Last year, just before Christmas, I felt different; really strong; and I just decided to do it. I needed to get out and sort myself out. I talked to my drug worker and he helped me. By February I’d started on re-hab and was moving out and into the YMCA – all in the same week!

At first I just stayed in my room like a recluse. I was depressed really and lonely and I kind of locked myself away. I only talked to my support worker really and it was a couple of months before I started doing anything else. My support worker talked to me about living in the hostel, keeping busy and finding things to do and gave me lots of encouragement and support. He’s been brilliant. I’ve met new people and now I’m going next door into DFL where they were really welcoming. I’ve had a go at using a computer and my support worker is trying to find me a place on a course one day a week. Next week I’m going to start volunteering in a charity shop one day a week too and I’ll be putting something back. I know I need to take it slow, one step at a time, but there’s loads of different and new things.

I’m off the drugs and I’m more happy in myself than I’ve been in years. I’m a different person. Everything is different being sober – the smell of flowers, the taste of food, and me, being alert. I read a book every couple of days now – always have my nose in one. If I see old friends I say hello but I’m not there anymore. I’ve got new friends now. I’m even cutting down the fags! It may be small for other people but it’s huge for me. My Mum is so proud of me and other people see me and say “Look at you!” I couldn’t have done this if I’d stayed at home - I had to get out of the same circle. I was determined and the YMCA has been the best for me. I was forever putting myself down – now it’s all positive. It’s all true – no lies. That’s me.