Woman Reveals Desperate Depths of Cocaine Addiction - From Licking Car Seats to 80 Days Clean
A woman has bravely shared teh harrowing details of her cocaine addiction, revealing she once resorted to licking car seats and sniffing carpets in a desperate search for dropped traces of the drug. Bethany Nicholson, 31, from Manchester, opened up about her years-long battle with the Class A substance, detailing how a single line in a nightclub toilet spiralled into a life-threatening dependency that destroyed her relationships, finances, and career.
nicholson’s addiction began socially but quickly escalated,consuming her life and leading to increasingly desperate measures to feed her habit. She blew through benefits intended for living expenses, prioritizing cocaine above all else. “It was so bad, I’d lick car seats and sniff carpet if I dropped drugs before wake-up,” she confessed. A turning point came in July when, after multiple relapses, she finally confided in her mother and therapist.
After initially experimenting with cocaine socially, Nicholson found herself increasingly reliant on the drug.Over months,she relapsed repeatedly,battling intense self-loathing with each setback. The final relapse in July prompted a crucial step: honesty with her support network.
With the support of her mother and therapist,Nicholson committed to recovery and distanced herself from her former friendship group,recognizing the need to remove herself from environments where drug use was prevalent. A subsequent diagnosis of ADHD provided further insight into her vulnerability, learning that individuals with the condition are statistically more prone to cocaine addiction due to impulsivity, inattention, and self-medication tendencies. “Knowing I wasn’t to ‘blame’ for becoming an addict really helped me,” she explained.
Now 80 days clean, Nicholson is utilizing therapy, group sessions, and social media – where she posts about her journey under the handle @Sobrietywithbeth – to maintain accountability and inspire others. She has been overwhelmed by the response, receiving hundreds of direct messages from women struggling with similar addictions, both current and in recovery.
“One line in a nightclub toilet almost ended my life, wreaking havoc on my relationships, my finances and my career,” Nicholson stated. While currently unemployed,she hopes to return to social-media management next year as her recovery progresses.
Nicholson’s story serves as a powerful message of hope, demonstrating that recovery from cocaine addiction is possible.
GETTING HELP
If you think that you have a drug addiction then please contact your GP.
You can also visit FRANK for honest information about drugs and to find local treatment services.
If you are having trouble finding the right help, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 0300 1236600.
Or click here to visit the NHS website for more advice and support.
Bethany was ‘stunned’ by the people she met at her Cocaine Anonymous meetings – just normal people who’d been sucked into addiction (Credit: Bethany Nicholson).
