Former Meth Addict Shares What She Looked Like After She Beat Her Addiction

It might sound hard to believe, but methamphetamine (otherwise known as “meth”) was originally used as a treatment for issues including depression, narcolepsy, obesity, ADHD, and alcoholism. But that was in 1919, before anyone could know the highly addictive and devastating effects the drug can have on the human body.

Years later, Congress would categorize meth as a Schedule II drug — which was, unfortunately, far too late. Hundreds of people were already addicted to the drug and it was quickly circulated through the black market of our country. By 2012, 1.2 million Americans used meth regularly, and that number has only grown in the years since.

Sadly, this young woman was one of those millions of people. Only in her early twenties, she was exposed to the drug young and addicted by the time she was 20 years old.

In the picture she shares, you can see all the telltale signs of meth addiction: thin build due to excessive weight loss (she was actually 5’9 and 110 pounds here), skin sores on her face, dry cracked skin, and dark circles under the eyes. Naturally, what’s going on beneath the surface is terrible as well — meth rots teeth, damages blood vessels in the brain, and destroys the liver, kidney, and lungs.

This haunting photo illustrates this young addict at her worst, but it was thankfully not the end for her. The woman posted the photo recently, accompanied with a follow-up photo of herself today, after beating the addiction.

“The first picture is me at 19 at the peak on my addiction. I was 110 pounds and 5’9. I was a thief, a horrible friend, stole from my family, lied and cheated,” the woman shared online. “When I was 22, I woke up, looked in the mirror and thought this isn’t who I want to be. I walked away and never looked back.”

Meth is seriously addictive, one of the most addictive drugs out there, but this woman was determined to end her substance abuse.

She started her transition by getting a dog, someone who could be loyal to her on her path to recovery. The two instantly became best friends and they even traveled across the country together.

Since then, she has been clean for nine years and has a three-year-old daughter who means the world to her. The current picture she’s shared is absolutely unrecognizable from the first and it shows brilliantly just how well she turned her life around.

“Now I am about to get my BA as an accountant and I have the most wonderful almost three-year-old,” She continues. “I just want you to know whoever you are and whatever you are dealing with that there is hope. Life goes onwards and upwards if you have the courage to stand up and try it.”

If this wonderful story of conquering addiction touched you, make sure to share it – you never know who you might empower to change their life for the better.