My cocaine bender left me BLIND – I had ‘devil eyes' for months and was chased by a man with a bible
Dave Mullen snorted his first "naive" line of the Class A drug on his 17th birthday after being offered it in a pub.
9
9
The former carpet fitter admitted he got a taste for it, sniffing it while drinking on football away days and lads' holidays.
But the occasional dabble quickly spiralled into an addiction by 19, that at his worst saw him sink 15 pints a day and snort thousands of pounds worth of cocaine in seven-day benders.
A shocking photo taken in August 2021 shows Dave with bloodshot eyes after waking up from a coma in ICU following a drug -induced psychosis.
His eyes remained red for months afterwards. And they were so startling that when he went back to work, completing a job in an old people's home, a man chased him with a bible fearing he was the devil.
Despite almost dying, Dave admits he only managed a few months sober before falling back into his dangerous habits for three more years.
It was only after a hospital trip in March 2024, when doctors said he could die, that he decided to quit and begin his path to sobriety.
Dave is now 15 months sober from alcohol and drugs and says he's finally been able to escape the "prison" he'd lived in for 15 years.
The content creator is now sharing his story to warn others about the dangers of substance abuse.
Dave, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, said: "Cocaine goes hand-in-hand with alcohol and at a weak or naive moment as I was young [17], someone offered me a line and I took it.
"I would get some [cocaine] for the weekend football and before long this turned into an addiction; it wasn't for enjoyment anymore.
Inside Europe's 'cocaine capital' where gangsters bomb cafes, gun down children & X in terrifying wave of drug violence
"I was going on holiday to Ayia Napa at 17 and it was like The Inbetweeners 'lads on tour' - it was just relentlessly pushed down your throat as soon as you hit an age.
"At 19 I noticed it had become an addiction. It was clear not only to me but my friends and people around that I had a bit of a problem with it."
Things only got worse over the next few years, which Dave puts down to " mental health episodes".
"I would go through periods to escape my mental health and I would just go out for five, six, seven days and I would just be gone," he added.
"I always found a way to put myself in a situation where I could get cocaine for free or very cheap, but the amount I would do would be thousands of pounds worth."
While addicted to cocaine, Dave says he lost friends and struggled to keep a job.
When he ended up in hospital in August 2021, he says people thought this was his turning point as he was so close to death - but it took another hospital trip to be the wake-up call he needed.
Dave, now 34, said: "In my case, those photos I've shared where I ended up in intensive care was not my turning point.
"This was a result of a four or five-day bender. I ended up going into a drug-induced psychosis and I completely lost my mind.
"I was completely blind; I had no vision.
"Six weeks later my eyes were still bloodshot and my eyes were like this for two months."
9
9
9
Since going sober, Dave has swapped his cocaine addiction for the gym and has set up a TikTok page (@darkdays2brighterways) to document his sobriety journey.
He says he has been left with a lot of mental trauma following his years of drug use but a constant runny nose is his only physical set-back so far.
In the future, he hopes to set up a support group under the name Dark Days 2 Brighter Ways to help others suffering with addiction.
How cocaine destroys your health, face and life
The nose
One of the most recognisable signs of cocaine overuse is a collapsed nose.
The drug is snorted via the nose. Because it is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows the blood vessels, blood flow is reduced.
As the nasal tissue becomes starved of oxygen in the blood, it becomes damaged.
FRANK, a national drug advisory service, says: 'Over time, snorting cocaine damages the cartilage in your nose that separates your nostrils.
'Heavy users can lose this cartilage and end up with one large nostril and a misshapen nose.'
Users may also have difficulty with breathing and damage to nasal passages can also lead to chronic sinus infections.
The mouth and facial deformity
Chronic cocaine use doesn't only affect the nose - it can also harm the roof of the mouth or the hard palate, causing palatal perforation, according to UK Addiction Treatment Centres.
Palatal perforation can lead to severe issues, such as difficulty speaking or voice changes, problems with eating and drinking and higher risk of infections due to the open gap between the nose and mouth.
With the potential loss of nose cartilage, destruction of nasal tissue and sinuses and the mouth, the face may change shape with chronic cocaine use.
Use of the drug can also cause the face to bloat and eyes to become bloodshot.
Mental health
Regular use of cocaine can dampen a person's mood.
It can make them feel depressed, run down, anxious or paranoid, FRANK warns.
It says: 'Cocaine can bring previous mental health problems to the surface too, and if a relative has had mental health problems, there might be an increased risk for you.'
Infections
Constant cocaine use will weaken your body's immune system.
This makes it harder to fight off any infection - or blood-borne diseases that may occur when sharing needles.
Heart
The heart comes under a lot of pressure from cocaine use.
It increases blood clots, which in turn can lead to heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, strokes and deep vein thrombosis.
'It can also cause inflammation and death of the heart muscle, deterioration of the heart's ability to contract, as well as aortic ruptures, angina and permanently increased blood pressure,' says the Priory Group.
Life-ruining
The impact of cocaine use goes beyond obvious health issues.
It can cause social withdrawal, financial problems, loss of job or reputation and risky behaviour, such as unsafe sex or driving when high.
If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine use, seeking professional help is crucial to prevent further harm.
Try visiting Talk to FRANK, the NHS website, Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous.
Dave said: "I want to spread awareness as it really did ruin my life.
"[In March 2024], I was told I was going to die again and something about walking out of that hospital alone - I said I didn't want to do this anymore.
"I was trapped in a life that was a prison with no enjoyment.
"I would have walked out of the hospital and gone straight to the pub but I thought to myself, 'I'm not going to have a drink today'.
"Fifteen months later and I'm here. I have a TikTok account and I still haven't looked back.
"I feel completely reborn and I'm now excited for my future.
"I don't think we're educated enough about the dangers of these drugs or alcohol.
"We're told drugs are illegal but in this day and age, no one really pays attention to the law.
"I think my story and the pictures in particular show that it's dangerous.
"I don't want cocaine to be so normalised and acceptable in society."
9
9
9
9
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
BMA's failure to allow treatment during strike is wrecking patients' lives & playing God with their medical conditions
Doctors can't just refuse to do duty THE wait for a cancer diagnosis is one of the most agonising experiences of anyone's life. So a Milton Keynes hospital trust made a plea to the striking BMA union to allow treatment of six patients who had steeled themselves for their biopsies. 1 Shamefully, their response was no. We knew the union's leaders were grasping mercenaries in their pursuit of a fantasy 29 per cent pay claim. Now we know they are capable of inhuman cruelty too. It was only thanks to the heroic decision of one of their own members to break the strike that the patients got the treatment they needed. The BMA's decision was based on the fact there was no direct clinical risk because none of the patients had as yet been diagnosed with cancer. Crystal clear evidence that the union is not only wrecking patients' lives but also playing God with their medical conditions. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, himself a former cancer sufferer, says: 'It is completely unacceptable for the BMA to dismiss the mental anguish a delayed diagnosis can have on people and families.'' Spot on, Wes. Extremist fanatics have no right to dictate whether someone should be tested for cancer or not. And every grotesque BMA decision that harms patients must be ruthlessly exposed. Take Don's advice PM Since his election, Mr Trump has wasted no time in reducing the hordes arriving in the US to a trickle and deporting tens of thousands more. Meanwhile, Sir Keir seems unable to get to grips with the crisis over here. The two leaders will no doubt be discussing vital matters such as Gaza and the UK-US trade deal when they meet tomorrow. But Sir Keir should put learning lessons on migration at the top of the agenda. Help on high streets BUSINESS Secretary Jonny Reynolds has revealed the Government plans to give the nation's struggling high streets a shot in the arm in the autumn budget. Welcome words. We have warned for years that the sector was on its knees. But for many pubs and restaurants, Labour's tax hikes have already proved the final nail in the coffin.
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
Tattoos can boost body positivity and even heal trauma, mental health experts say
THE great British High Street may be in decline but there's one type of shop that is still firmly making its mark – the tattoo parlour. In the past decade the number of inking businesses has soared from 1,637 to 3,394 — up 107 per cent — and 14million of us now have one, nearly a third of all adults. 5 5 5 The tattoo market was worth around £659million in 2023, rising to £702million in 2024. Experts say that although tattoos may seem unsightly to some, for those who have them, they can boost positivity, provide a sense of security, help people cope with depression and even help to heal childhood trauma. Dr Mark Griffiths, Distinguished Professor of Behavioural Addiction at Nottingham Trent University, told The Sun on Sunday: 'Most people who get tattoos experience positive benefits. 'For example, someone who is experiencing depression or anxiety may feel empowered by a tattoo, or view it as a way of demonstrating control in their life. 'Bad infections' 'A tattoo can help some individuals feel better about their body and help them feel as though they are part of a community. 'Tattoos may help promote body positivity, boost self-confidence and, for a minority, help to lower stress levels. "For a small minority, tattoos may also be a symbol for trauma survivors, for example of PTSD, sexual assault and healing from childhood trauma.' Derby-based tattooist Kevin Paul, who has inked dozens of celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Rhianna, says that being tattooed is so 'powerful' it is like a medicine to some. He said: 'People use tattoos now as a therapy or a way to bring families closer or to mourn the loss of a loved one. "A lot of people have tattoos to mark traumatic things they have been through. I'm tattooed all over & even removed my NOSE to keep in a little jar… people can't believe the difference 4 years makes 'The majority of people I see are using it as some form of therapy. 'I had a customer with a history of self-harm and when I covered her scars she said it gave her her life back.' Prices for a tattoo start at £50 for a tiny design but can rise to well over £2,000 for a larger work covering the limbs or back — and there is no shortage of takers. The UK currently ranks as the third most-inked nation in the world, accounting for almost eight per cent of all tattoos globally and we are only out-tatted by the US and Germany. However, the trend has also led to a rise in unqualified and inexperienced would-be 'artists' cashing in. Unlicensed tattoo artists, often referred to as 'scratchers', operate outside legal regulations and do not register with their local said: 'Tattooing is being pulled apart by everyone thinking they can just have a go. 'People will go to the closest and normally cheapest place so it's much harder for real, trained artists to get customers through the door. 'There will be a lot of people needing cover-ups [of bad work] in the future. 5 5 "Hygiene should be the biggest part of your training, but I have seen so many bad infections come from dodgy tattooists who don't know what they are doing.' Research last year suggested that as many as four in ten of us had considered getting a tattoo removed. The most likely reason is going off the design, poor quality, fading work or having made an impulsive decision to begin with. And another expert warned that getting tattoos may not always combat major self-esteem issues. Aleksandra Pamphlett, a psychotherapist specialising in body image, said: 'I've had many patients describe their tattoos as part of their healing journey — daily reminders of survival, identity, hope and self-worth. 'There have been quite a few studies suggesting that body modifications can serve as a coping mechanism or form of self-expression for people with trauma histories. 'IT'S MY LIFE STORY IN PICTURES' TATTOO fan Chesney Wright, 29, has spent more than £4,000 on her 200 inkings, which she describes as her 'life in pictures'. The mum-of-three, from Grantham, Lincs, admits some are 'horrified' by her heavily inked look but she has no plans to stop. Chesney said: 'I've been told the tatts are disgusting. That I'm a bad example to other women and a bad mum. Tattoos are like Marmite, you love them or hate them – I'm obsessed with them. 'OAPs are often horrified and tell me off, but I just smile sweetly. My body art is my history.' Ex-barber Chesney has tattoos of everything from a ghost to SpongeBob. She added: 'Most women get flowers and butterflies – I have a different approach. Each tattoo holds a story of love, happiness, mother- hood, sometimes grief.' 'Most of my patients with tattoos related to past trauma found them helpful and empowering, but there was one case where the tattoo became a painful reminder — less a symbol of healing, more a flashback to a time they wanted to move past.' Anna Woolley spent years struggling with substance addiction and poor mental health, leaving her with scars on her arms that were so obvious she was ridiculed about them while shopping in Primark. It led the 35-year-old to cover them with a 'sleeve' design with butterflies and branches in 2016. The move gave her such new-found confidence she is now preparing to become a support worker in a rehab clinic to help others. She told the Sun on Sunday: 'I'd gone through a lot of past trauma and I'd caused damage to my arms from lashing out during night terrors over several years. 'I just felt horrific, I was so full of self-doubt. 'Before getting the tattoos I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing a T-shirt but now I wear what I want to. People say it's just a tattoo but it's changed my life.'
The Sun
13 minutes ago
- The Sun
I'm losing weight but it's nothing to do with Mounjaro – my FREE hack requires zero effort and is so simple
A WOMAN has revealed that she has shed 7kg without the help of Mounjaro. Since becoming available on the NHS earlier this year, weight loss jab Mounjaro has helped thousands of Brits shed unwanted weight. 2 2 And whilst many are overjoyed with the results, some have reported major side effects, including burning skin and kidney problems. Not everyone can get the drug prescribed on the NHS either, so for those looking for an alternative, Cristina Gheiceanu, revealed her little known hack. The blonde beauty, from Switzerland revealed that she has used Chat GPT to help her shed 7kg. Taking to Instagram to explain how she did it, Cristina revealed that she first asked the AI chatbot to help her work out a calorie deficit. However, she said that what helped her the most was using the app to track her daily calorie intake. "Instead of using complicated apps, I just sent a voice message to ChatGPT each morning: what I ate, how many calories I wanted to eat that day — and it did all the work." She explained that, in the beginning, she had to tell the bot how much protein and fibre was in her foods, and how many calories they were. However, once she'd added a food once, it remembered how many calories were in it, meaning it became much quicker to track. "I kept using the same chat, so it became faster and easier every day", she said. Cristina said the best thing about her free hack, is that the chatbot puts everything into a table, so that she can track whether she is missing anything. I lost 4st & reversed my age by 10 years but my secret is NOT Mounjaro - here's my tips to feeling amazing in a bikini "If I am missing something, I just send a photo of my fridge and get suggestions", she said. Cristina's (@cristinagheiceanu) video has likely left many people impressed, as it has racked up over 2.7 million views on the social media platform. Instagram users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts on the clever hack. One person said: "Thank you so much for sharing this generously with us. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. "You look stunning!" A second person said: "I tried using your method and it worked really well! Thank you so much for sharing it. "I used to get stuck and overwhelmed trying to calculate and research detailed nutrition info, it was really hard and confusing. "But tracking food using ChatGPT the way you showed is so much easier, more convenient, and way less stressful." A third added: "I did the same thing. It essentially helped cut out the cost of a nutritionist and helped me lose 20 pounds in a healthy, achievable and maintainable way."
