Our Stories

	About Us Project
"My name is Patrick and I am from Dublin. I started using drugs & alcohol at the age 15 and by the time I was 18 I had prgressed to using heroin every day. Because of my addiction I began to lose friendships and the trust of my family. I lost jobs and lost interest in playing football too. My health was suffering and I had to commit crime to support my habit and then I was getting into trouble with the Gardai. I began to hate my life and tried to get clean by doing two detox's but I relapsed again and again. My life continued to go out of control until I registered with a clinic and stabilized on methadone. Three years later my keyworker referred me to Liberties Recycling. I found that the routine and structure of just going to work helped me. I never felt judged by the staff because I was on methadone and always found them helpful because I coulld talk to them about what was going on for me. I have always been able to keep my doctor and clinic appointments. I also completed forklift and computer courses. Last year I began reducting my methadone and am now medication free. I know I have changed and I feel I am a different person now relationships with my family are good and people are beginning to trust me, this is because I got a chance here to improve my life. I am in my last year at Liberties now and am looking forward to a drug free and medication free life."	Practical Work Experience - Sorting & Grading of Clothes
.....Patrick.
"My name is Ava and I am 33 years old. I started smoking hash and taking ectacy when I was 15. Three years later at 18 I was using heroin everyday. I neeeded to get money for my drug use so I began shoplifting and then dealing drugs. I got into trouble with the law and was given a probation officer and ended up doing community service. I got really sick of this lifestyle and needed to change so I became stable on methadone and after a year or so I was referred to Liberties Recycling. I began working on the factory floor, doing FETAC training and attending therapy groups. I began to talkn about my past and this really helped my self confidence. I was successful in interview for a position in administration. I have done lots of courses such as Computer Applications, Office Procedures, Sage Quick Pay and Introduction to Book-keeping. I also attended work experience outside of Liberties. I kept working on myself and I have now reduced my methadone to half of what I was originally on. All of my family say that I have changes so much during my time here and they are very proud of me. I know I am a better person now and being at Liberties has helped me to grow indifferent ways. My hopes and plans for the future are to be drug and medication free and to have a healthy and happy life with my daughter and partner."
.....Ava.
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