True Stories of Addiction: Brittney
Brittney started to abuse drugs at a very young age, after a switch flipped in her when she lost her virginity to a 25-year-old man when she was only 13 years old. Her father left the family before she was even born and she developed a complex of feeling unwanted or unworthy at an early age.
Brittney had always struggled with social interactions due to having a great deal of social anxiety, but being under the influence seemed to help. She found that doing drugs was what she needed to do to be valued by her friends and, later in life, what she needed to do to make friends.
Early Experience with Drugs and Thoughts of Death
When she was just 14 years old, she tried Cocaine for the first time. She did it mainly to please her friends who were doing it, but she instantly loved it. After that moment, she was doing Blow all the time and her life started on the long downhill spiral of addiction.
Brittney’s grades began to suffer and she was constantly in trouble, but she also was fighting an internal battle. Even at the young age of 14 years, she hated who she saw when she looked in the mirror. She tried to commit suicide for the first time that year by cutting herself. This incident was the beginning of her obsession with wanting to die and attempting suicide.
Substance abuse is often due to underlying issues of mental illness or circumstances that make the person feel alone, unhappy or purposeless. Later in life, she would be diagnosed with Manic Bipolar Disorder, which likely contributed to her desire to use substances.
Substance Abuse Gets Worse Before it Gets Better
Brittney wound up in an accelerated high school because she was kicked out of so many normal schools and joined the military after she graduated. After joining, her substance abuse escalated to an entirely new level that seemed unstoppable.
She got her wisdom teeth pulled even though it wasn’t medically necessary, just to get the pain pills. She was caught by some peers snorting these pills in a bathroom and was sent to rehab in the military. She continued to use drugs for the six months that she spent there in rehab.
She became pregnant in the military rehab by a man who was addicted to Heroin. She couldn’t stop using though, so Brittney continued to do drugs while she was pregnant in rehab and the guilt and shame she felt for her decisions was overwhelming.
The cycle of self-loathing, using and misery that so often accompanies addiction can be paralyzing. She tried to kill herself again and lost the child. Brittney was so ashamed of herself that she lied and told people that she had an abortion.
Spiraling Entirely Out of Control
As the dark feelings inside Brittney grew, so did her substance abuse and she spiraled out of control. She drank excessively and was using Cocaine all the time, telling herself that she was just having fun and partying.
The reality was much grayer than that as she grew financially dependent on her mom and Cocaine became the only reason she woke up in the morning. She tried to kill herself again, overdosing on Ambien, but fortunately, something was looking down on her that day, because it became another failed attempt.
When drugs and Alcohol are the only reason to live, life becomes pretty grim. At this point in her life, Brittney was lost inside her own misery and she didn’t know how to get out. If she wasn’t going to die, then she was going to use substances to get through each day.
Realizing Recovery Was the Way Out
One night, she had been out drinking with her younger sister who was frustrated with Brittney’s horrible behavior and they got in a fight. Brittney didn’t know how to communicate what she was feeling and she lost sight of every hint of reason. She started beating up her little sister who cried and pleaded for her to stop.
This was one of Brittney’s lowest points. She came home to her mom that night and slit her wrists while her mom was watching. She wanted to die again. This was her turning point, where she finally saw that she had to do something about her problems with drugs.
Brittney didn’t want to ever put her mom or any loved ones through something like that again. She didn’t want to hate herself anymore and she knew that it was time for something to change. This is when she finally started on the path to recovery.
Peace and Acceptance in Recovery
For a long time, she relied on others’ sobriety instead of getting sober herself, but eventually she discovered the grace to take that leap of faith. Active addiction drags people through the darkest of places and brings them to do terrible, unthinkable things.
This is something that people in recovery understand, though, because they have been there. Brittney found refuge in this acceptance, love and hope that she experienced in AA meetings. The people in those meetings believed in her and loved her before she could do either for herself.
If you are struggling with addiction like Brittney was, there are people out there to help you too. Call 866-578-7471 to talk to an addiction specialist who is in recovery and understands what addiction is really like. You are not alone and there is always hope to start again.
36 comments
I think a lot of addicts have stories where they almost died, whether it’s from the drugs or the poor decisions they make.
Crazy to know she did coke at age 14. My friend was hooked on it and lost all of her teeth almost, it just rotted most of her teeth out.
It’s an emotional one to read about Brittney’s alcohol additional life. It’s very nice she didn’t commit the suicide simply embracing sober which set her life back on track.
Children upbringing is not the sole responsibility of the mother. Both parents must work together in love so that these children can be what has proposed for them.
Thanks to Detox Rehab programme.
At times we have to pass through a difficult situation before we discover our true self. Though this may be tough for Brittney nevertheless God had been so good to her by providing the way out.
Brittney got introduced into the wild at a very tender age. Substance abuse being likened to underlying issues of mental illness is sure another revelation coz I wonder why someone will wanna kill herself a whole 13 times. That’s shocking to say the least. I’m glad she took the sobriety path and got better. That’s all that counts. Thanks for this beautiful and touching piece.
Like any storm addiction gets worse before it becomes better.The best thing you can do is to get going and brace yourself as hell does not last forever. It is just a matter of mental fortitude,
Feeling unwanted and unloved are reason why few turns into drugs. If you feeling that why, focus on something that will make you busy, make yourself useful. Avoid bad association.
Try to remember this. Their past does not define their future. Every one of us might have lost our way, one way or the other. It is our moral obligation to sympathize and empathize with those who are struggling.
It is a very struggling recovery through addiction I have ever heard. She went through a lot of previous trauma with the addiction, but great that she recovered.
Drugs often times help those people who need them temporarily, but one their body adapts to the “high” effect of drugs, they will independently be a addict.
She has this story to tell because of her recovery. It should be a lesson for others. Congratulations.
This is a privilege. Thank God for the intervention of Detox Rehab programme.
Very emotional and inspiring story,, thank God she had a turning point in her life not many people had a second chance. Help from her family also helped her. Detox to rehab thank you for sharing Brittney’s story.
Parents should always take care of their kids when they are young. For Brittney going through such ordeal in her young age leading to life changing event for her can be traumatic. Thanks to Detox To rehab for putting her on the path to recovery.
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.Thank you once again.
So sad story, but good to hear of her recovery. Kudos to 12 step program.
Recently I have seen your your video on you tube . you are such sweet guys and loved your video and moreover the struggle you faced in past help in shaping your future. God give you more strength and be happy always .
Thank God for the near death escape. This is so impressive.
Social Anxiety can lead to a lot of social stress so i can understand the fear of Brittney. i have experienced this too but i have lucky not to think of taking drugs but gradually begin to make friends naturally.
A 13 year old girl losing her virginity to a 25 year old is one of the worse things that can happen to an individual. The fact that she never had a father’s care complicated the issue. i really feel sorry for her. Her journey has been really tough. Im glad she is battling her addiction problem . im really proud of the woman she has become
Taking to drugs at a young age can be very damaging. I believe and agree that it gets worse before getting better. So other addicts need to know this and fight for peace
Hurting yourself is the worst thing,many method how to get sober,almost died is vatal,thats why every one who addicted need a Rehab
What a rough life, get used to drugs at her tender age. The background of one family is very important. Happy for her for the recovery.
Such a touching story. It takes courage to take the first step
This story is heart touching. Thank God he finally regain his freedom.
A sad and encouraging story. We shouldn’t do things to please others
Thanks to Detox for helping out.
Breaking free from addiction is also a choice.
Brittney Story is really amazing and touching. So glad she did not get herself killed through addiction so happy for her.
I do not find it surprising when the drug addicts think about suicide. Suicidal tendencies are much common in drug addicts because they think that suicide is the only way to deal with the problems they are facing and suicide might end their agonies. However, this is obviously much far away from the truth. What’s quite worse is the fact that she continued to use drugs while she was pregnant.
Introduction to drugs as little as 14 really is bad and should never be condoned. Its a miracle babe, I wish you more years of clean health
Difficulty of life should not debar us from overcoming our challenges. I congratulate Whitney on her recovery from drug addiction.
So painful, even the little child that knows nothing was affected by her actions. That’s why drugs isn’t advisable because you affects people do dear to your heart
Nothing good comes easy, I see a strong woman here. Even in rehab she still uses drugs and lost her baby, that’s really disheartening. Happy she is okay now
What a turning point for Whitney! People should brace up for challenges of life with a view to overcoming them.
I think you are fortunate that you thought that recovery is way out for you and followed that path because many people cant do that.
What experience! Right from her teenage days has really been challenging. She could only seek refuse in hard substance. Glad to know she later walk through by getting necessary help.