By Luke Voogt
Recovering Newtown ice user Russell Britton is “getting back the guy” he has “always been” at Mt Duneed’s Foundation 61.
“He’s always been there but he’s been hidden behind ice,” the 36-year-old told the Indy on Tuesday.
Russell considered himself extremely lucky to be at the clinic – he almost missed out on rehab when he first searched with his family.
“There were places that said we want you to come but the waiting time is six months.”
Russell “had a loving family” and was “a popular guy” at school. But the wrong crowd led him to experiment with drugs and drop out in year 10.
He experimented with increasingly hard drugs, before coming across ice when he was 29 years old.
“I guess (a) friend put me on to who they scored from,” he said.
“Before you know it you’ve got a couple of people you can go to when you need it.
“For the last six or seven years I’ve been smoking ice every day.”
He lived in Lara and worked as a practice manager for a Melbourne neurosurgeon. Ice kept him awake for several nights in a row.
“When you’re on ice you feel like you’re achieving a lot but you’re probably not as on the ball as you think,” he said.
Most of that time he was “living two lives” as the sole career for his son.
“I was trying to be a good father but also living this life that revolved around me having enough gear to get through.”
Russell eventually lost his job and had to move in with his parents. But losing custody of his son recently was the biggest wake-up call.
“I went (to court) off my head and didn’t seek legal representation,” he said.
“My son is everything to me and I felt like I couldn’t let him down any more than I had.”
Russell broke down in front of his family, who helped him get into rehab.
Eleven weeks into 26 week program Russell said: “It’s been the best move I’ve ever made.”
The “fleeting moments” where he felt like using were becoming fewer as the weeks went on, he said.
“No one here judges you or belittles you or makes you feel you’re not worthwhile. I’m putting things in place.
“I hope I get a job and can be close to my son.”
