My name is Rob. For most of my life, I dabbled in various drugs, but my descent into a truly dark place began about five to seven years ago.

I was living in Milton Keynes, buying weed from a local dealer who eventually referred me to another guy, and that's when everything changed. This new dealer and his associates, who were from Liverpool, started lacing my weed with heroin without my knowledge. At first, I thought they were friendly, but they had their own agenda.

They discovered that I had a clean driving license and no police record. This made me an ideal candidate for their operations. Gradually, they got me hooked on heroin. Once I was dependent on it, they manipulated me into doing their dirty work—running drugs, delivering packages, even handling guns. I was trapped. They made it clear that if I didn't do what they wanted, I wouldn't get my fix, and I couldn't face the withdrawal.

My life spiralled out of control. One day, they asked me to drop off a package, and I got robbed. From that moment, I owed them money, and a gang member was with me constantly. They used my phone to book Airbnb and contact others, making it look like I was the mastermind behind their activities.

The turning point came when I got arrested. One of their cousins had been driving recklessly in Milton Keynes and threatened someone with a knife. The police were called, and I was sent to retrieve the car. When I did, I got arrested. At the police station, I pleaded for help, telling them to check the CCTV and my phone records. They released me on bail, and the officer handling my case saw the desperation in my plea. She referred me to Migrant Help.

Migrant Help moved me to temporary accommodation in Bicester, and then to Worcester, where I have been clean for over a year now. Though I feel better physically and mentally, the fear still remain. I'm too scared to leave my flat, constantly worried that someone from my past might find me. Despite this, I am grateful to be free from drugs. I had a life before heroin—working, driving a nice car—but all that was lost to addiction.

Getting support from Migrant Help was a lifeline. They provided me with a safe place, helped me with legal issues, and supported me in rebuilding my life. I've reconnected with my daughter and started to see her regularly, which has been a significant positive change.

However, I still struggle with psychological issues. The doctor suggests attending support groups, but I find it too overwhelming to bring up the past repeatedly. I prefer dealing with it on my own terms. The thought that the gang members who were arrested might be released soon is terrifying. They might come looking for me, as I was the reason they went to jail. For now, I keep my head down and stay out of sight.

Despite these challenges, there has been a recent positive development. About four weeks ago, one of the ladies from the chemist, who had always been friendly, decided to look me up on Facebook and add me. We started chatting and got on really well. She knows all about my issues and the addiction, and despite this, we started seeing each other and are now together. She’s been incredibly supportive, helping me regain my confidence and encouraging me to start going out again, which is a huge plus. She knew I was shy and nervous, so she made the first move. With her help, I’m hopeful that within a year or two, I’ll be able to go back to work and regain some normality.

To anyone in a similar situation, my advice is to seek help immediately. Contact organisations like Migrant Help. They do more than you might think—they saved my life. I once believed that the only way out was to end my life. I even attempted suicide twice, nearly succeeding once. But now, I see there is hope and support available.

I hope my story sheds light on the reality of being trapped by addiction and manipulation, and on the importance of seeking help. Thank you for listening to my story.

* The client’s real name had to be changed, and he is not able to show his face or voice for safety reasons.