Children helped mum beat two decades of addiction

“I grew up in a well-off family who have good morals and have no history with drug or substance abuse.”

These were the words from Geraldton woman Lana Danischewsky, who has battled drug addiction for more than two decades.

“I had no reason to be a drug addict; I do not have druggie parents, I was never abused or forced into it,” she said.

“In fact, I come from a very loving, active family who are very involved in sports and outdoor activities like camping.

“But I was 15 and was curious and wanted to try it for the sake of trying it.

“I didn’t know I had an addictive personality at the time, but for 25 years I battled a drug addiction and I saw it take everything away from me, including my four children.”

Ms Danischewsky said as a teenager she was always hanging out with older people and when they started experimenting with drugs, so did she.

When she had her first child at 16, she said drugs had already become a big part of her life.

“I had my children until they were 12, 14 and 15 years old and then my mother took custody,” she said.

“I was too far into my addiction to fight the decision and gave them up.

“The pain I felt was nothing compared to the pain I inflicted onto my family during this time and I hit the drugs harder, drank more and started using harder drugs, which continued until last year.

“I was confronted by my children who said they wanted their mum back.

“They took me to Rosella House and I stayed there for nearly six months and got clean.

“It took about three months before I really chose to change my ways and it has been one year since I’ve been free of my addiction to drugs, and I have not had a drink in a few years.”

Ms Danischewsky said she developed a new addiction… to education.

“I started to study while at the rehabilitation program and now my new addiction is getting certificates,” she said.

“I now have my beautiful family back and best of all, my parents are proud of me.

“It is a long, hard battle but it can be done and after more than two decades of addiction I am clean and I am employed with the very same place that saved my life.

“I love who I am and what I do every day and I am very grateful I got to start my life again.”

Ms Danischewsky wrote a poem about winning the battle.

She penned:

“You fought me long and hard almost winning.

“But I come from a strong mob so you have no chance.

“I now run my life, my feelings and have my beautiful family back.

“Goodbye addiction.”