Steve
Hi — my name is Steve and I am 39 years of age. Thanks to the inspirational drug rehabilitation programs at Odyssey House, I have been successful in overcoming a decade long struggle of an addiction to heroin.
I grew up in a loving, nurturing and stimulating household with educated, successful and loving parents. My father was a senior government bureaucrat and my mother is a Doctor. My two younger sisters and I were always encouraged to do our best and be happy with what we achieved.
During my childhood, my family spent over three years living in Washington DC and then returned to Melbourne, where I went to an exclusive private boys school.
I found myself immersed in a culture of enormous wealth and although I knew this didn't make me happy, it was my reality.
I completed high school in 1980 and got the marks to do whatever university course I wanted. I moved to Sydney and started studying for a Bachelor of Economics degree. I continued to live a shallow life and it was around this time that I first tried heroin.
After completing my degree, I gained a position at a large computer company in sales and marketing and quickly moved through the ranks.
My life outside work was one of indulgence. I was partying hard, spending all my money and living the high life. I was also smoking pot and snorting cocaine like there was no tomorrow.
My drug use continued over many years. After receiving a redundancy from work, I married and went overseas. On returning to Australia, my addiction escalated at a rapid rate — I had no purpose and no integrity. My soul felt tired.
After my marriage ended, I moved back in with my parents and my life continued to go downhill until I entered the Odyssey House program.
My year and a half stay at Odyssey House was an incredibly grounding experience.
I am now able to make the choices as to where my life goes. I have learnt to handle the everyday frustrations that life dishes up, without becoming overwhelmed. I have also learnt that money, luxuries and status don't result in happiness. Happiness comes from within.
Today, I couldn't be happier. I have a place of my own and am working for Odyssey House as a counsellor.
I have finally become a complete person - there are no empty spaces to fill with drugs or the other artificial realities that I indulged in. Drug use is no longer a choice for me.