From Diet Pills to Meth Abuse
Nanci’s started abusing diet pills during her career as a nurse. The pills were just the start of her painful and tiresome road down addiction’s chaotic spiral.
She started off taking one pill a day; when one pill wasn’t enough, she started taking two. Nanci got to a point where she was taking three a day and would run out of pills before the end of the month.
It didn’t take long before pills were not able to truly satisfy Nanci’s addiction driven cravings. In searching for a stronger, longer-lasting high, she turned to Crystal Meth.
A Secret Life of Meth Addiction
Before addiction took hold of her every thought and action, Nanci had built a life for herself. Married with children, she managed to keep her drug problem a secret.
When she first started using Meth, regulating her use was in the cards; however, her daily Meth use schedule of 6 o’clock, noon and four, did not last long.
As her addiction progressed, Nanci started to sell drugs, among many other things. Eventually, her job as a nurse—being kept on call 24 /7—became unmanageable and she stopped showing up to work.
Showing up to work was not the only unforeseeable task for Nanci in the grips of her disease—as her addiction to Meth became stronger, Nanci stopped showing up for her kids.
Introduced to the 12-Steps
After three years of living an isolating and dishonest life, Nanci’s addiction started to seep through the cracks. When her husband, at the time, found out what was going on, he gave her an ultimatum: if Nanci didn’t go to rehab, she would be kicked out, wouldn’t have a place to live or be helped in any way.
Worst of all, she was told she would never be able to see her kids again. While talking about this time in her life, she states, “I wasn’t there for me, I was just there to try and save my marriage.”
After rehab, Nanci turned to 12-step meetings, where she was introduced to the 12-steps. She explains, at first, that she was scared of the meetings and the groups. She didn’t know what to expect, nor what the people in the groups expected from her.
Her plans to go to meetings and quit Meth soon failed, however, leading to what she claims to be “the beginning of the worst part of my life.” Inevitably, the consequences of lying to keep addiction alive and thriving caught up with her.
One night, she called her husband for help, instead of coming himself, he called the cops and Nanci was arrested. Little did she know that the call to her husband was what she needed to finally surrender and give up drugs.
Are You Willing to Do Whatever It Takes?
Nanci knew all along that she wanted to stop doing Meth, she just didn’t know how. Surrendering the night of her arrest, was not only a necessary turning point for Nanci, it was the beginning of a new life.
When she and her husband separated, Nanci went to live at a women’s halfway house. With a great amount of shame and guilt, she was put in a position where she had to learn how to love herself.
Today, Nanci works a 12-step program and sponsors other women. She feels that if someone is willing to do whatever it takes, they can get sober.
Getting sober and living a life in recovery may seem out of reach, or even outright impossible. During her addiction, this was her reality, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. There is support as well as many avenues to getting the help you or a loved one might need.
If you’re looking to talk with someone who has overcome addiction and understands what you are going through, call (866)578-7471. There is help and recovery is possible. You don’t have to do this alone.
45 comments
I see it very often that nurses develop a drug habit since medications are just in arm’s reach.
Thinking of addiction to drugs, I think with their level of professionalism they should not fall victim to it. But addiction is not a respecter of anybody as it destroy lives, take away joy and happiness from the home. Happy that Nanci found the the 12-steps program for recovery.
All this hard work and your journey to get rid of addiction in such a small period shows you dedication to get rid of of the path which will lead you to pitiful conditions. Great.
I find it weird that even pros at the medical field are swayed into this. To think they should be the first one to know how much of a bad news these are but I guess not. It shows that when drugs are abused nobody is safe.
Nanci was in severe addiction taking those pills. But, she came out of it with a lot of determination following 12 step process.
It’s great that Nancy got 12 steps to recover. Addiction is a very bad thing it destroys the whole family.
Thank you Detax to rehab for sharing these type of stories with all of us.These stories are really very much inspirational for many people who are addicted with something.
This addiction of a thing is so crazy. It is bigger than anyone. It didn’t even resect her as as a health worker. One just got to be careful.
Thank you for the Detox help, finally Nancy got sober,even she is a nurse but why she addicted of meth?hope you do not try silly moment into your life
You can imagine a nurse who’s meant to dish advices against drug abuse being on the receiving end of it; this clearly shows anyone can fall victim. It takes a whole new level of determination to get the required change for a whole 90 days without faltering. Strong will is so involved. Thanks again Detoxtorehab.
Addiction craving is never satisfied. Glad Nancis really had to pass through Detox for her recovery. Thanks
One would think that because Nanci is a nurse she would know better than to use drugs but, I guess you can never know who can fall into the temptation of drug abuse. I am glad that she is now sober.
Drugs can really destroy our lives. Nancy had a stable job but because of drug addiction, she lost it. Good thing she is now over it and recuperating in her life.
i love the fact that her husband gave her an ultimatum..well, her husband getting her arrested seemed harsh but that made her change..although, i would not call the cops on the mother of my kids for any reason whatsoever, but i guess the incidence changed Nanci for good…
its dangerous for kids to grow around drug addicts. it messes up their life..turning to the 12 step program was a good decision Nanci…im so happy you are clean..
Anybody can fall victim of being an addict even if you are in the medical line and know the dangers involved. Thank God for Nanci that she found the 12 steps program to recovery. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing her story.
With this story,I know there’s no one that can’t fall victim of addiction.
Willing to do what it takes and seeking for help aids the Recovery Phase.
NancI risked a lot of things despite being a nurse to not only do drugs but also sell drugs. Thank God for the turning point in her life, which brought about the change she desired.
I could imagine the horrors Nanci went through in her downward spiral of her addiction, slowly losing the very important people in her life, including her own children. This really should be a wake up call to anyone who still insists that drugs help them with their problems, when in reality it only gives them more. The 12 steps program really helps. When things get too complicated, people in addiction trouble should always know and realize there are people always willing to help them and they only need to ask.
I really learnt many positive things about Nanci’s meth addiction. Everything starts gradually just as Nanci starred off with diet pills. Everything we do in life shouldn’t be excessive, that’s how addition starts.
Detox is really doing a lot to help people with addiction and protecting the society. This is really commendable. I’m so happy Nancy is doing so well now .
I’ll always come out to say detox is an Amazing platform, it gives a second chance to a lot of people And that is what I call amazing.
Addiction can only complicate or worsen things. It is advisable to jettison such habit.
Thanks to Detox for rehabilitating lives.
It gets to times when that small substance wont satisfy the need and need for strong crave in. We shouldn’t even encourage the start at all. Nice piece guys
It is always about getting the help that you need always. There’s always a way out. Nanci your story is really inspiring and others will learn from it.
The journey is really not certain for new people but be assured everyone in such groups have common goal. Recovering from drugs, that’s the important thing.
Addiction is deadly. Abstinence can give one hope of escape. People should desist from addiction to avoid ill health.
You always have reasons to go deeper in the addiction, you never get satisfied because the happiness you think you had, is just short leaves. Think twice before you start doing drugs.
Addiction isn’t exempt the medical practitioner. I think as a nurse, she should be able to understand better.
Actually, I find it surprising that she got addicted to prescription pills as a nurse. Nurses often have great interactions with doctors and they are able to guide them in a proper way. She could have consulted a doctor and find a way out. Anyways, it is good to see that she has recovered now.
12 step programs reach out to those who needs helps. It is not impossible to be heal and recover, its not too late.
Good for Nanci is has managed her addiction. It is not easy to leave addiction. It is also to note that addiction comes without someone noticing.
Drug addiction is a great problem. Thanks Detox for stepping in and changing lifes
Nancy was a serious addict even as a nurse. Professionally speaking, she shouldn’t but addiction isn’t a respecter of any profession.
Love what Nancy is doing now, using her experience to help others. Kudos to 12-steps program. Am so glad they exist.
It must be big a challenge to take back the control of life when been under addiction. You are very brave Nanci.
Great job Nanci for battling with your addiction! Everything is worth it once you helped yourself. I really appreciate that you guys share different kinds of stories with us. Thanks for sharing her story with us!
This is a very interesting story actually. Even a nurse can get addicted by drugs. That’s way we should really aware about alcohol and drugs, cause they’re really have negative effect.
This is a pathetic story of drug abuse. Recovering from addiction is not an easy thing to do but Nanci managed to scale through it and recover fully well. Feel happy for her all the way.
This is an inspirational story that drug abuse is dangerous and can lead one down to a very destructive path. Nanci proves that there is no problem without a solution if she can find her way to recovery from drug abuse.
Addiction is not a respecter of anybody but seeking the right way of recovery is the best. Thanks to detox to rehab for sharing this post, for saving life and for giving hope of recovery for those battling with addiction. Welldone
The use drugs when depressed isn’t a good one. Seek help from the professionals and this will help you slot.
I like the fact that Nnaci was willing to go through all it takes to recover from the meth addiction. the 12 step program has really being helpful to a lot of addicts and others to discover it.
The road to sobriety is rough and not easy to ply. The most important part of it is that the destination is a pleasant experience.
yes, during addiction recovery period , daily motivation is needed. Because sometimes there is no recovery we saw in us within a span of month and we get depressed. Motivation is indeed needed.
So even a nurse could fall victim. One would have thought such wouldn’t considering her professional. Well, it’s always better to seek help.