By Olivia BlairOriginal Source: cosmopolitan.comAnd how the so-called party drug destroyed one woman's university dreams, relationships and bank account.
In her first year of university, 19-year-old Alice* tried cocaine for the first time. Despite its reputation as a 'party drug', that first line spiralled into a 13-year addiction costing her relationships, a degree, jobs and thousands of pounds worth of debt.
Now two years sober, Alice, 34, talks to Cosmopolitan about the realities of being addicted to coke.
"My parents brought me up to believe drugs were awful and, if I touched them, they'd kill me. So, I never thought I'd even try them. I was really good at school, I got strong grades and my studies were important to me.
The first time I took cocaine, I was 19 years old. I was in a relationship with someone who did it and, after an hour of him and a friend convincing me 'it wasn't going to kill me', I tried it.
Growing up, I always felt like everyone had the manual to life and I didn't. I felt empty inside—like something was missing. As soon as I snorted that first line, that hollow feeling went away. Drugs became...click here to continue reading
