Pubdate: Fri, 02 Sep 2005
Source: Metro (CN BC)
Copyright: Metro 2005
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Jeff Hodson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

SUPPORT GROUP KEY TO RECOVERY

'I Was Killing Myself,' Says Ex-Meth User

It took three ambulance trips in a four-month period, the final following a 
suicide attempt, before Mark Gueffroy decided to kick crystal meth.

"I decided that it wasn't fun anymore, in fact, it hadn't been fun for a 
really long time and I woke up and realized I was killing myself," said the 
21-year-old, who moved to Vancouver from Saskatchewan following high school.

His roommate introduced Gueffroy to the drug. The first time he snorted he 
says he didn't even notice the effects.

Within three weeks he was using it daily. He was hooked for 1 1/2 years, 
and by the time he attempted suicide he was using as often as 20 times a day.

On Canada Day, Gueffroy celebrated his first year clean from the drug.

"One thing I've always been very adamant about is that this isn't a gay 
problem. It is a problem within the gay community, but there is a much 
wider scope to this problem."

He quit cold turkey and says it was the only "realistic" option for him. To 
quit, Gueffroy said he built a strong network of support around himself and 
completely broke off all affiliations to his crystal meth usage.

"I will not associate with someone that is doing crystal meth. Some people 
will say that is intolerant   but it is something I have to do for myself 
because I will not put my recovery at stake for anybody."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom