Personal Story of a Speed user

'Matt' is a 20 year old male who started using Ecstasy a couple of years ago. 'Matt' did not feel any pressure from his friends to take Ecstasy; however, they were all taking pills so he was curious because "everyone did it," so the first time he went clubbing he took one. Pills made him feel "spaced out, not with it" and he enjoyed this feeling.

In the beginning he would take a pill once a week, when he went clubbing; however, when 'Matt' started doing promotional work he was taking pills every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Within about 6 months 'Matt' was not enjoying the effects of pills as much. Some pills made him throw up and then he would get a horrible chemical taste in his throat. 'Matt' started using Speed occasionally. This quickly turned into daily use. At this time 'Matt' was selling Ecstasy pills to support himself and his speed use. In the beginning 'Matt' snorted it but this was causing harm to his nasal cavities so he started smoking it. He enjoyed the "whole activity of smoking" and it got him highly very quickly.

'Matt' enjoyed using speed, loved the feeling of getting really high, the ritual around smoking speed, the smell, the feeling of being invincible and unafraid; however, he didn't enjoy coming down. To cope he would stay in bed and sleep for hours. 'Matt' did not enjoy the visible deterioration of his body or how "fucked up his brain" got when he was using, he couldn't concentrate and his memory was really bad. 'Matt' also started doing crazy things like sleeping outside, on a banana lounge, and didn't want to go inside. He didn't know why he was behaving like this but it "seemed like the thing to do at the time". He also ended up being in debt to dealers, which his Mum had to pay as he was receiving threats from them. Additionally, 'Matt' was charged by police for drug related offences.

'Matt's' family and friends were concerned about his mood changes. He was constantly getting angry over little things and doing things like punching holes in walls. 'Matt's' friends and family started getting "really pissed off ", with his behaviour. His Mum tried to kick him out of home. Because of the legal issues and the impact on his friends and family 'Matt' had to detox from Speed.

Whilst 'Matt' would "love to do speed again but doesn't want the consequences", such as the impact on is body, brain, his relationships with his friends and family.