'Taking cocaine is completely normalised now', recovering addict warns

Louise Walsh

A recovering addict who was once spending up to €500 a night on cocaine has warned that its use is now "completely normalised".

Dylan Curran says he now has peace of mind since seeking help for his addiction over three years ago.

The young man's drug use spiralled during Covid-19 when "everything was turned on its head and you found yourself with three others in a backyard shed with a lamp in the corner, a bag of cans and cocaine."

The 23-year-old was just 15 when he took his first drink and 17 when he tried cocaine, but he is now three and a half years in recovery.

"It was when Covid-19 kicked in that things got worse. I felt isolated and I'd often spend up to two days just sitting in my room and using," he said.

"My progression into addiction was rapid. The addiction took everything away from me. It was when I had nothing left to give that I made the phone call for help."

Dylan, from Drogheda, Co Louth, began treatment in Smarmore Castle Rehabilitation Centre on November 30th, 2021, and hasn't picked up a drink or used drugs since.

"All the problems I had were still waiting for me outside the centre but I just had to learn the coping mechanisms to deal with them.

"Addiction is a very powerful thing and a little thought can turn into a craving if you let it. One drink was too many and 1,000 was never enough for me.

During his addiction, Dylan went from spending €50 a week on cocaine to up to €500 a night and was a master of juggling loans and finances to afford the cocaine.

"I had people lined up so I'd always have someone to get the drugs off.

"You could walk into any pub and not be too far from getting a bag of cocaine. It is so normalised now that if you are going out without drugs in your pocket, then you're doing something wrong."

"Cocaine was a quick and easy fix, it's up your nose and it's done.

"I think drink and drugs go hand in hand and alcohol is a gateway to drugs. Towards the end, I'd go to the pub and buy a diluted juice for the night. I just wanted to go to the pub to use drugs."

Even during his addiction, Dylan's family tried to persuade him to get help and made numerous calls on his behalf but ultimately, nothing worked until he decided himself to seek help.

"My family tried multiple times to get me help and they were amazing but you can't get sober and clean for others. You need to decide for yourself.

"I'd just say to families out there living with an addict that as much as we can hurt you and let you down over and over again, stick with us because there is a heart in there somewhere that needs to be loved."

" I'm living my life to the fullest now. I don't have a flashy car or loads of money but I have peace of mind, happiness and people respect me - all the things I took for granted."