Eva Gaida

My life as a meth addict

iStock 
issue 03 June 2023

I’ve spent most of my adult life addicted to amphetamines, including crystal meth. I first tried speed when I was 17 at a techno party while visiting Germany. I had been struggling with my A-levels and always found school hard because I was constantly exhausted, sleeping for 12 hours a day and still falling asleep during lessons. I was depressed and sometimes felt like I didn’t want to live any more.

Speed changed all that. For the first time ever, I was motivated, I could concentrate and I felt that I could deal with life. I went from failing school to becoming a straight-A student, and I honestly don’t think I would have graduated without speed. I took it like people drink coffee.

On meth, you feel like you’re having an epiphany every minute. We really did have interesting conversations

But when I finished university, I felt directionless. I met an American man on a dating app who was as addicted as me; I was falling for him and with nothing better to do, I decided to move to California, where meth is far easier to come by.

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