By SUZANNE ELSWORTH

A DRUG user has spoken about the torment she has experienced while addicted to life-threatening substances.

Lorraine, who does not want to reveal her real name, has been following the series of stories in the Guardian over recent weeks and says that she agrees with the sentiments of those hit by the menace of drugs.

"I'm an addict," she said, "and like other addicts I know what help is and isn't available.

"I also know what the parents who have spoken out mean. I see the effects every time I look at my own mother."

And she says that she has seen addicts go through every trick in the book to get their fix.

"There are addicts who go to the community drugs team and use the help available just until they get over the bad patch they are going through, finding it hard to feed their habit.

"You think 'it's just until I get sorted', though you don't tell them that at the CDT, but while they are there the people who really want the help can't receive it.

"If the addict is serious they will always help, but they have heard every single blag in the book."

And she says that the addicts have to want to help themselves.

"It's no good the parent saying they want to help," she said. "The child has to say 'I do want to get off drugs, I do need help, I am not wasting your time.' Until then, there's nothing anyone can do.

"Addicts can ask their GP for a detox programme. I think methadone just prolongs things anyway. If the addict is serious, the doctor will help, if they aren't then you'll find out when they sneak off to score.

"The addict has to want it, or it's a waste of time."