OP, I do feel for you. It must have been a terrible shock especially with the children. Unfortunately, it isn't safe any more to leave your doors unlocked, even in safe areas. Glad you are ok.
For the judgemental among you. Do you realise the harmful effects words like junkies or snack heads, have? They stir up images. Of dirty people, who look a certain way. Who are violent, who are thieves, evidence can't be trusted. Every one of us has different aspects to out life. A teacher isn't just a teacher. She could be s mother, a volunteer, someone who enjoys eating cake, have a passion for boxercise. She isn't labelled by one aspect of her life.
But addicts are. They're told by society that they're an jynkie. Theres a stigma that means people are terrified to be honest. Because as soon as someone knows that's it. All the other aspects of you disappear. You're a junkie.
I'm not just an addict. I'm also a good worker. I'm a lovely friend. I'm kind, compassionate and friendly. I volunteer with vulnerable women and help them. I try and help claimants as best I can. I had an emotionally abusive childhood and I'm still standing. I'm not just a junkie. I hate, hate, hate that word. It has connetatikns, bad ones. It's not a kind way to describe anyone.
Attitudes like on this thread lead to shame. I was terrified walking to my first appointment. I dressed specially smart and done my hair nice and wore my work lanyard. Because I knew what 'junkies' look like, or are meant to. And that isn't me.
You can sometimes tell people who are adducts. Those people aren't purely identifiable by their addiction, it's because they lead chaotic lives. Im lucky. I had mind for 5 years before I asked for help. It's opiate addiction, but in painkiller firm so it doesn't have the impact on your body, or at least not outwardly. I held down a job, and kept it from my friends and family. People I've told since were shocked, they wouldn't have guessed.
I was a good actor, years of pretending to be ok I suppose. As I said I held down a job which in itself limited my usage. I may have been high but learnt to hide it. I took care of my personal care and appearance. I'm not your 'typical junkie'. Neither are some of the others I see at the pharmacy or at the clinic. Some are. Some are unkempt, poor hygiene, aggressive behaviour etc. I usually get mistaken for a member of staff when I get a taxi to the station sometimes. That don't mean I'm better than them. It just means I was lucky enough that I was able to identify the problem sooner , and strong enough to eventually seem help. It was 5yrs. It could just have easily been 15. By which point my life may have became chaotic.
Addicts, or 'junkies', are not the same people. Junkie is such as offensive term. I work in pip and my heart twinges when people on my team talk about people with addiction In a derogatory way. Because it reminds me what society thinks of people like me, and it reminds me that I cannot be open about things, except with a select few. Even with those select few, I've been in tears and shaking telling them.
Please don't think we're all the same. I'm many things, my addiction doesn't rule me. So whys is the one thing that defines me? And not my kindness, the fact I'd do anything for anything, that I'm funny, or strong, or have good ideas, or go above and beyond for people.
Not all addicts are huddling on street corners shaking or swaggering with eyes as big as dinner plates. They could be the person on the end of the line when you call a company. They could be your children's teacher, or dinner lady. They could be the librarian, the shop assistant. They could be the receptionist, the nurse or the doctor. They could work at your child's nursery. They could be the person who cares for your sick grandma in a home. They could be your cleaner. They could be your neighbour, your sister, your friend. Laughable that people think they can spot an addict a mile off. What you can spot is someone who is either off their face and unable to hide it, or more commonly someone with a chaotic life
Shame. It's something that many groups of people have felt in the past. 'Nutter'. 'Bastard.' 'Lame.' 'Gay.'. Horrid words with no place in society. Horrid words that cause shame and hurt people. Just as 'junkie' hurts people, makes them feel Shame, and promotes a culture of secrecy.