‘Giving back after no-one gave up on me’
“Addiction is a disease, not a choice. I didn’t choose to become an addict. I didn’t choose to ruin my life.” Those are the words of Ben Morley, who has finally put his life back on track after being addicted to drugs for more than 15 years.
“ADDICTION is a disease, not a choice. I didn’t choose to become an addict. I didn’t choose to ruin my life.”
Those are the words of Ben Morley, who has finally put his life back on track after being addicted to drugs for more than 15 years.
Morley is on a mission to send a warning to others and raise awareness about the dangers of addiction.
He graduated from Mount Scopus, studied performing arts and went on to become a recognised drama teacher within the Jewish community and beyond.
In what was a seemingly healthy upbringing, Morley recognises his teenage years as the beginning of his end.
“It started with marijuana and bit by bit, it led to the likes of cocaine and eventually ice,” he told The AJN.
His life quickly fell apart.
Drugs took over his every waking moment.
Morley accumulated tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of government fines from speeding and parking, while his friends and family struggled to be a part of his life.
“I was caught in the cycle of addiction. Drugs were above everything. They were above my family, my friends, they were above living,” Morley said.
“Groceries were dropped on my doorstep once a fortnight. Ice had taken over my life.”
Morley went through numerous rehabilitation clinics across the country, but to no avail.
The 36-year-old was aware of his addiction but couldn’t control it and was having suicidal thoughts, but he didn’t know how to communicate it to others.
Then one day his dad stepped in one final time, and it worked.
He woke up in the back of his dad’s car on the way to the rehabilitation clinic that saved his life.
It began with “97 days of hell”, as Morley describes it.
“Ninety-seven days of a hardcore detox – no phone, no contact with the outside world, no sugar, no books, no girls. It was hell.”
For the first time in his life, Morley was going through successful rehabilitation.
“That wasn’t Ben Morley for 15 years, that was the drug,” he now says.
“I am so fortunate my friends and family never gave up on me.”
Morley told The AJN that if it wasn’t for his family and friends he wouldn’t be alive today.
“I’m 36 years old. There was nothing left for me in life.
“My next phase was going to be either an institution, jail or death.”
“I was introduced to a 12-step recovery plan, I had support workers. I had been brainwashed and this was my way out,” he recalled.
Having turned his life around, Morley received his “clean for one year” chip only last month, explaining how important it was to him.
“This means a lot to me. I was a different person on drugs … I was bereft of any type of functionality. I want people to understand recovery is a possibility, it’s not just a pipe dream.”
With an estimated 200,000 Australians addicted to the drug, Morley wants his story to be a beacon or gateway into helping at least a single person recover.
The promising actor has gone one step further and opened the Riverside Clinic with some friends he made in his own rehabilitation. His ability to understand what his clients are going through plays a pivotal role in recovery.
“What better way to understand what addicts go through on a daily basis than someone who has been through it. I was close to death,” Morley said.
“I’ve already had Jewish parents calling me up, asking me for advice. Unfortunately, these things are swept under the rug, nobody wants to open up about addiction.”
“It was tough for me to come out in the Jewish Community and talk about it. However, my lifestyle and personality as such means I need to tell my story because if it saves one life, then that is an accomplishment.
Having endured tough times, Morley is loving what he considers his second chance and succeeding in things he never imagined in his wildest dreams.
Having returned to the performing arts, Morley remains passionate about trying to ensure his story is not repeated. The hardship and torment his friends and family went through remains vivid in his memory.
By publicising his story, Morley wants those struggling to know they are not alone.
“Don’t isolate yourself if you’re battling addiction. People do care and have the understanding.
“Don’t give up. Don’t think there is no way out; there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”
If you have a problem with ice or know someone that does, call 1800-ICEADVICE (1800 423 238423) or visit the Riverside Clinic website, riversideclinic.com.au.
DANIEL SHANDLER
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