About 10 drug addicts gathered at a certain place in Busan. They came together to escape the terrible pain of drug addiction.

On February 26th, “Channel PNU” found a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting held in Busan. NA is composed of drug addicts who strive to overcome it together sharing their experiences with drug addiction under the premise of anonymity. Despite their different ages and personalities, they openly share their experiences from the moment they first used drugs to their experience in correctional facilities or hospitals and their current lives. The only thing they conceal is their own names. Considering the nature of the meeting, the article did not disclose the venue.

■“I Started Drugs with the Recommendation of Acquaintances”

“Channel PNU” listened to their stories about the process of drug addiction and their lives in conversations with the participants of the NA. Those who participated in the interviews responded that they became deeply involved in drugs due to momentary mistakes of choice. The path to drug addiction was the same for all of them: “Recommendation from Acquaintances.”

A (30s, Male) first tried drugs in his 30s. It started with the persuasion of the acquaintance. The reason the acquaintance offered drugs was for “fun,” and A fell into drug addiction out of momentary curiosity.

B (40s, Female), who consistently attends the NA, first encountered drugs in her teens. The drugs which her acquaintance suggested were mixed into a drink. She said she had not even known she was consuming drugs. She just felt a strange and floaty sensation. A few months later, the acquaintance offered her a syringe and her addiction to drugs became uncontrollable after a momentary choice. After a while, she was caught by the police and began her first imprisonment in her 20s. For the past 20 years, B has been unable to escape the quagmire of drugs.

A and B stated that those who encourage drug should be “filtered out” from their surroundings. In particular, B emphasized, “Anyone who truly cares about me and worries about my life would never recommend drugs. If someone suggests drugs, you must gather the courage to express your anger.”

What can help drug addicts to overcome drug addiction that began with “influence from acquaintances” is “support from other acquaintances.” On this day, the NA was held as an open gathering where not only drug addicts but also their family members or close acquaintances could attend. According to NA attendance statistics published by the “Narcotics Anonymous World Services” in 2016, 31% of attendees came to NA due to “family’s encouragement.” The support of those around addicts becomes a crucial driving force in their recovery.

■Pillars Formed by Secrecy and Trust

At NA, the most important thing is secrecy and trust. At the beginning and end of each NA meeting, participants of NA make a promise not to disclose what was shared within the group. This promise allows addicts to genuinely express their stories. The honest confession during the meetings do not harm each other’s lives. They accept each other’s stories and strive to break free from addiction in the meetings held regularly once a week.

B, who drove long distances during rush hour to attend the NA, said, “During the meeting, I feel like everyone is making such an effort even though life is tough for them. Sharing stories also helps raise awareness about drugs.” She mentioned, “Encouraging each other for recovery seems to build up good energy for me.” A, who is striving to overcome drug addiction by faith, also expressed, “There’s nowhere else I can talk about drug-related experiences except NA. I freely express difficulties with drugs and I can meet people who have shared similar experiences. It gives me strength even in difficult tasks.”

In the roughly one hour-long NA meeting, the subject that gains the biggest sympathy is that “If addiction continues, a ruined life awaits at the end.” Like the Lord’s Prayer recited before a meal, as the NA meeting begins, participants in the meeting recited a series of phrases that says, “The end of drug use is prison, psychiatric hospital, or death, or finding a new path to live.” 

After the recitation of methods for overcoming drug addiction and the rules of NA, participants choose a topic for the day and begin sharing their stories. The topics are chosen freely, and participants can share any story they like. If they feel ready to share their own story, they can do so at any time. If not, they can simply listen to the stories of other participants. No one is forced anything other than anonymity and freedom.

■A Shift in Perception Is Needed “From Drug Access to Treatment”

When “Channel PNU” asked how to address the youth drug problem, all interviewees emphasized “Not using drugs at all is the best solution.” for multiple times. They also added that young people who haven’t experienced the suffering by drugs tend to underestimate the consequences of drug use. They said, “Experiences with drugs are shameful stories that are harder to tell than one might think.”

They also expressed a hope that there would be a widespread recognition of drug addiction as a clear “disease.” They emphasized that continuous treatment as a disease is necessary because individuals who have been addicted to drugs once can relapse at any time even after treatment. They stressed that alongside treatment, efforts to overcome addiction on one’s own are the most important thing.

Some who had experienced severe drug addiction step forward to address the drug problem. B is now preparing to be a recovery counselor. She said she wants to help those who have experienced the same pain as her.

Reporter You Seung-Hyun

Translated by Ha Chae-Won