‘I'd wake up and do a line,' admits cocaine-addict mum, 31, who blew £1k-a-week snorting four bags a day
At her worst, Charlee Hill was going through four bags of the Class A drug a day and mopping up daily nosebleeds.
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She snorted her first line of cocaine at 21 while enjoying a night out with friends 10 years ago.
The mum-of-one admits her habit began as a "social" activity before she began using the drug alone as an energy boost to get through the day.
At the height of her addiction, Charlee says she spending more than £1,000 a week on her hidden habit.
The 31-year-old - who plunged into £10,000 worth of credit card and payday loans debt thanks to her addiction - believes she's spent around £20,000 on cocaine over the years.
One shocking photo shows Charlee with blood streaming out of her nose onto her mouth - a daily occurrence due to the quantity of cocaine she was using.
Charlee described the drug as "her best friend" at the time and admits she would be dead if she hadn't quit for good four years ago.
Now, she is warning others to steer clear of the party drug to avoid falling into a life-long addiction.
Charlee, from Oxford, Oxfordshire, said: "I don't think I actually touched drugs until I was about 21.
"I used cocaine for the first time on nights out with friends, it was just a social thing to start with.
"It was just a few lines throughout the night. It was probably like that for two years, it was around once a month socially with friends.
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"One time I think I had some left over from a night out. I'd had a really bad night's sleep and just decided to do some while I was sober.
"It made me awake. That started every other day then it built up to me doing a bag a day.
"Towards the end, if I had the money, I was probably doing three to four bags a day."
Within two years of trying her first line, Charlee was snorting cocaine most mornings.
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Charlee said: "I was easily spending thousands of pounds a month on it, I got into a hell of a lot of debt with it.
"I had a credit card and was getting payday loans out. I got into £7,000 to £10,000 worth of debt, which luckily I've been able to pay off.
"When I was using, I almost couldn't imagine my life without it. I thought 'I'm going to use this for years and years'. I was quite happy with that at the time.
"I'd wake up and the first thing I'd do in the morning was a line, which is insane. That's what I'd have to do to almost get out of bed.
The addictive spiral of cocaine
Cocaine can quickly become addictive as it affects the brain's reward system.
It triggers a rise in dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, cocaine creates an intense but short-lived euphoria.
The brain adapts itself to these elevated dopamine levels, which can make it harder for people to derive pleasure from non-cocaine sources, driving a compulsive need for the drug.
High-stress jobs, drug use among friends or colleagues, and relying on cocaine to manage underlying mental health issues can also fuel addiction.
Cocaine addiction poses severe risks to physical and mental health as well as the welfare of your family, career prospects and personal security.
Some of the most serious health effects include:
Elevated heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events
Heightened body temperature and hyperactivity, which can lead to physical exhaustion
Decreased appetite, often resulting in significant weight loss
Increased aggression, potentially leading to conflict, violence or other dangerous situations
Chronic cardiovascular issues, including heart disease
Respiratory complications and neurological impairments such as seizures and strokes
Severe gastrointestinal problems and malnutrition
Persistent nosebleeds and loss of the sense of smell (for those who snort cocaine)
Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases (for those who inject cocaine)
Heightened anxiety and paranoia
Mood swings, depression and suicidal thoughts due to the cycle of intense highs and debilitating crashes
There are also a number of personal long-term side effects of cocaine addiction. These include:
Source: UKAT
"I would never do it around my child. It gave me a confidence boost, it makes you think you're amazing.
"Cocaine was like my best friend. I would cut everyone off, I would much rather stay at home and do lines on my own.
"I wouldn't be able to get through any normal day-to-day thing without it. I wouldn't be able to go to the shops or talk to people without it.
"I always had a blocked and sore nose. In the worst times, I was getting nosebleeds every single day."
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Determined to kick the damaging habit, Charlee went into a rehab facility in February 2019 but relapsed less than six months later.
It wasn't until August 2021 that Charlee chose a "better life" for herself and her child, ditching cocaine for good.
Charlee said: "It probably would've ended up killing me. My nose would've probably ended up caving in and I would've ended up dying.
"I don't know if I'd be alive now if I didn't stop when I did.
"I was spending so much money on it, I wanted a better life, not just for me but for my child too. Eventually, I would've lost custody.
"I was so fed up of living like this and still doing line after line.
"I'm so proud of myself that I've managed to come out the other end, a lot of people don't.
"I'd say to someone struggling, talk to someone. If you relapse, keep starting again and don't give up.
"It's not worth it. I wouldn't wish an addiction on my worst enemy. Don't even try it, it's not worth ruining your life over."
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