Sammy’s Story | A Catalyst for Change

When I was seven, I loved playing with Lego and swimming in the ocean. We lived in housing commission in Narrabeen. I was my mum’s angel, a good little boy. My dad wasn’t around much, but I had my mum and my sisters. 

Everything changed when I developed a kidney malfunction and spent a long time in the hospital. Seeing other kids not make it left me in constant fear. My mum said I changed afterwards. I went from being bright and energetic to tired and drowsy, carrying the weight of my hospital experience into adolescence. 

I started dabbling in drugs at 14, starting with cannabis, trying to fit in. My mum warned me to stop, but I didn’t. A few years later, I met a girl who used harder substances. She held down a good job, so I thought I could handle it too. Soon I was dependent. 

I moved to Sydney and tried to quit, but after a friend died suddenly, I started using again. Depressed, I made the same mistakes, using alcohol, drugs, and gambling to escape reality. My downward spiral eventually led to jail. I detoxed there, but it didn’t last long after my release. 

I was living with my sister and trying to hide my drug use, but she could see. I felt guilty because she supported me, but I didn’t know how to stop after 14 years of addiction. My sisters gently suggested rehab. One of my sisters called Odyssey House NSW, but I needed to make the call to refer myself. My niece had given me a notebook, and that day I wrote, “I’m going to call Odyssey House today.” 

The day before rehab, I felt panicked, and I couldn’t stop myself from using one more time. The next morning, terrified, I knew it was now or never. My sisters came with me to support me as I checked in, hugging me tight before she left. Detox was tough, with demons from my past haunting me. It took time to realise I couldn’t change the past, but I could change my future. 

After detox, I moved to the residential recovery house. Adjusting was challenging. I needed to disconnect from my old life and start fresh. I went from having no routine to a strict schedule, living with 30 other men, and participating in group activities and therapy. At first, I didn’t see how things like art class could help, but soon I found joy without using substances for the first time in years.

Odyssey’s Therapeutic Community (TC) is what helped me to change. We supported each other, held each other accountable, and shared our truths. The five pillars of Odyssey—Trust, Honesty, Responsibility, Concern, and Love—guided us. Odyssey taught me that addiction is choosing one thing over everything, while recovery is choosing everything over that one thing. This principle guides me, and it’s written in the notebook my niece gave me.

I’ve been sober for two years now. Rebuilding my social circle has been hard, but I focus on people who support my recovery. I attend the mosque and volunteer with The Rehabilitation Project, helping others on their journey. With my lived experience I can relate on a deeper level with people and I don’t shy away from the ugly topics because I’ve been there myself; nothing shocks me. 

To families of those struggling with addiction: give them love without judgement. They already feel guilt and shame. Your love can be the catalyst for their change. 

This story was produced in collaboration with Sammy. His name and image have been changed to protect his identity.