Peter P’s determination to get clean and turn his life around with the support of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) enabled him to overcome 35 years of addiction. Today, he is a powerful advocate for those struggling with drug abuse in poor communities.
Gauteng, South Africa (03 October 2024) – Having previously battled a hardcore drug addiction for 35 years, Peter P had a life-changing wake-up call one random morning to turn his life around for the better. He is now doing invaluable work in impoverished Gauteng communities to help curb the debilitating curse of addiction.
Sharing about his uphill battle to nine years of sobriety, Peter opened up about how he found himself experimenting with drugs as a rebellious teen as an escape from a troubled relationship with his father growing up.
“I started smoking when I was 11 years old. It spiralled out of control and that led to 35 years of addiction. I was a full-blown addict and had more than my fair share of brushes with the law.
“Even after I got married, my wife had no idea that she married an addict. I hid it that well until about 10 years ago. My wife finally found out and I went to rehab but it didn’t solve anything because I wasn’t going for the right reasons,” Peter discloses.
Peter even suffered a drug-induced heart attack some years back and was in ICU for 10 days. Even then, the grip of addiction had a tight hold on him, and Peter found himself calling his dealer five days into his hospital stay.
“In November 2015 I woke up one morning and I came to the conclusion that I could no longer keep killing myself. I did not want to die. I reached out to Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and I booked myself into rehab,” reflects Peter on the turning point of his life.
Through rehabilitation and involvement with NA, Peter received the tools to start rebuilding his life and the damage he had done to his family.
“NA changed my life, it gave me purpose and a reason to live. I also attended meetings at hospitals and institutions where I told my story to try and help addicts realise that there is a way out.”
Three years ago, Peter got involved with NA’s PR department, and he found his calling after about nine years of not having had a job.
“I started working among the poorest of the poor communities. The people in townships and squatter camps have nothing and it is especially difficult for them to get help. Most of them can’t access mental health support, which plays a crucial role in ending up in substance abuse,’ a passionate Peter says.
Among his other involvements and outreaches, Peter also holds weekly meetings at a men’s homeless shelter in Kempton Park and shares his story of addiction, which plays a big part in igniting the motivation to give up substance abuse and realise that someone who walked that journey for years could change the life around for the better.
Peter later took over NA’s PR department in Johannesburg two years ago and works with various NGOs to host outreach initiatives in underserved communities and to help establish regular weekly meetings.
Peter is making a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals, proving that even in the darkest of times, it is possible to find redemption and make a positive impact on the world.
“The power of one addict helping another addict is without parallel. I understand the journey of the person I’m trying to help. Seeing someone’s life changed through my story and efforts is very fulfilling and emotional for me.
“The work I do keeps me clean, it reminds me of where I come from and where I could end up. Working with these communities has given me a purpose that I never had before,” the inspiring changemaker concludes.
To get in touch with Narcotics Anonymous, call 0861 00 6962.
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