I first sought out an ADHD diagnosis when I was 23, and the psychiatrist told me, “No, actually you just have the learning capacity of a 16-year-old due to your drug addiction.” Yikes. It took me a couple of years to wrestle with that message – to make sure I rejected it on a deep level – before I tried again with another doctor. And boom, I was right: my ADHD scored off the charts. No wonder amphetamines help my brain feel regulated.

Jack’s friend became mentally unwell and he desperately wanted to help but unfortunately, he started to burn out. Jack talks about what you can do to support a friend, and how to set healthier boundaries.

Language is powerful, especially when talking about alcohol, other drugs and the people who use them

This story is about a friend who would likely be alive today if he didn’t feel compelled to stop taking his life-saving medication.

We caught up with PAMS co-ordinator Sarah Lord to get the benefit of her years of experience in helping Victorians on OTP.

‘Some people will need higher than usual doses of methadone or buprenorphine for it to work properly for them. This might be because they have a high tolerance or an unusually fast metabolism…. I’m simply happy to be on the program and not be a human pin cushion anymore.’

‘All opioids have a range of effects. Some are desirable and some aren’t.’

'I needed to believe in a miracle cure.'

What is this thing called 'addiction?

A story of what it is like to be a sex worker who uses drugs.