I used ice at work in secret. When I was jailed for the second time, I knew I had to stop
Tahlia chased the release of dopamine by using crystal meth. She says it wasn't until her second prison stint that she rewired her brain.
The individual in question began using ice (crystal meth) at the age of 18 during a party, driven by a desire to escape reality after a breakup. Over the next decade, they daily smoked amphetamines to chase dopamine and regulate emotions in an unhealthy manner. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, is responsible for motivation, reward systems, and habit development.
However, substance or activity-induced dopamine release can be addictive. The person's addiction led to a series of highs and crashes, including periods of unemployment, homelessness, and legal issues related to drug dealing. In 2018, after serving his longest stint behind bars, the individual sought help, meeting with a therapist and joining a narcotics support group.
These steps enabled them to address the root causes of their addiction and develop coping mechanisms, leading to a significant change in their life.
Written by urgent.news from SBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
