Our Volunteers: David Wright

I’m David. I’m 41 years old and have experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol for over twenty years. Heroin addiction and alcoholism were my life for over a decade until I started a methadone maintenance programme nearly six years ago. I’d had enough of my lifestyle and methadone helped me to move away from it.

Although it was a great help I did have some problems. I continued to experience withdrawal even when my dosage was increased. After hospital tests, doctors it found that my body metabolised methadone unusually quickly. Eventually the Home Office gave permission for me to be prescribed the highest dose of methadone. I was maintained on 250 ml daily, for many years whilst I waited for a diamorphine script.

My life became more stable and I enjoyed training as a user advocate with The Alliance. I’ve been working as a user advocate in South Wales for a few years now. I regularly write for WIRED and DDN to share my experiences with others. I also produce a free newsletter 'The Heroin Herald' for substance users and practitioners.

After years waiting for diamorphine I realised it was not going to happen in the near future. I’d been struggling with unpleasant side effects from the methadone, which was making my Hepatitis C symptoms worse.

During the last year I made the decision to come off methadone. I have since detoxed completely and am writing about my experiences. I’m now thinking about what to do with the next stage of my life!

David's latest:

David's personal story: Part 7
Here he describes his struggles on methadone maintenance and his recent decision to detox.

Living with Hepatitis C: Part 2
The latest in the series, David describes his first set of tests when he was first diagnosed.

The pain of being on a pain-killing drug
David exemplifies some of the issues surrounding the use of opiate pain relief for opiate users, through a personal experience.

Turning off the Tap (DDN article Nov 06)

Heroin Herald: Autumn 2006

David's personal story: parts 1-6

Hepatitis what?
David Wright will be writing a series of articles, charting his experiences of living with Hepatitis C. The first in the series, David describes the events leading up to him discovering he has the condition.