‘Life after meth’: New Zealand woman overcomes drug addiction

A 34-year-old has revealed how she overcome a “demonic drug” and has become a new mother after beating a five year addiction.

A former meth addict who used it to “take away problems” has detailed her stunning transformation after beating the drug and becoming a social media sensation.

Emma Corlett from Auckland, New Zealand, was addicted to the illegal substance for five years, stating she used the drug to cope with a string of difficult circumstances, including battling depression, an eating disorder and violent relationships.

Now the 34-year-old has been able to remove the “demonic drug” from her life, and while documenting her road to recovery, has amassed a loyal following on Facebook.

“At my worst, I had nothing. I had lost my family through my addiction, I was spending time with people who I now understand weren’t my friends, but at the time they were all I had,” she told the New Zealand Herald.

Emma Corlett from Auckland, New Zealand, was addicted to meth for five years. Picture: Facebook/MISSEMMA307

“I was in abusive relationships constantly – not just once, but three times. I didn’t feel I had any worth.

“Looking back... I was in a terrible place by the worst part of my addiction and I didn’t see it changing.”

Emma, who had two children aged 14 and 10, said that while she “loved” being a mum, her addiction took her away from them and she was powerless against it.

“I missed so much. I, and they, are really lucky that they have so many people in their lives who have loved and cared for them, and I am so grateful to everyone,” she told the publication.

“But for me, in my addiction, not seeing them was really hard.”

At the height of her addiction, she would steal and break into buildings. Picture: Facebook/MISSEMMA307

However, every day Emma was hooked on the class A drug, she said she longed to be free.

“My life was not going the way I had anticipated because I was succumbed to this addiction which I had to change... I, me myself and I, it was up to me to say nope, not anymore,” she wrote in an emotional post on Facebook.

“This demonic drug got me spending every dollar on it every week, leaving me dead broke.

“I’d use people, rip people off, steal, sell/swap my possessions, break into old buildings for scrap metal and do things that wasn't in my nature.”

Eventually, the “shame” got too much for Emma, and she ended up reaching out to her mum for help.

“I called my mum, I said I wanted to get clean, and she immediately said she would help,” she told the NZ Herald.

“She contacted Riders Against Meth founder Mark Anderson and told him about me, and he came and got me and took me to Rotorua as there was more help there for substance abuse.

“I also needed to distance myself from the people I was associating with and who were still using, in order to make my recovery work.”

Emma has been drug-free for seven months and documents her recovery online. Picture: Facebook/MISSEMMA307

As she began to get better, Emma turned to other recovering addicts for support, and found the My Great Adventure Facebook page which is run by her now boyfriend Franz.

Franz, who is also a recovering meth addict, started his page as a way to hold himself accountable, and amassed a community which supported others.

Emma started sharing her story, eventually leading to the pair meeting up and discovering they had an “instant connection”.

She’s also met her partner and had a baby boy. Picture: Facebook/MISSEMMA307

The couple now have a six-month-old boy, Wolf, and live together, both also earning a living from their popular Facebook groups.

“I do find it hard to believe still, that people want to hear from me. They actually subscribe to my page,” Emma said.

“But it also keeps me accountable and yeah, while I don’t see myself as an influencer, it is about inspiring people, showing them change is possible.”

Emma is now seven months into her recovery journey, writing: “Life After Meth does exist and I hope that all addicts get the chance to rebuild their life again just like I have.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol and drugs contact:

•National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015

•Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015.

•Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14