ROBYN Lewis is 52 years old, and an ex resident of Port Stephens, where she resided from 2006 until 2017 in Karuah.

Robyn was an addict for almost four decades, and has now dedicated her life to helping others.

Robyn told News Of The Area, “I first tried pot at 15, then speed at 17.

“I also smoked cigarettes, I was an alcoholic, a bad gambler, I was addicted to antidepressant and I was an emotional eater gaining 31 kilos in weight over the years.”

“On top of those things, I also had a 15 year addiction to the drug ice,” she said.

But two years ago, life changed for Robyn when she discovered a program called SMART recovery, which stands for Self Management and Recovery Training.

This free group program assists people with any problematic behaviours, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, shopping, food, internet and many others.

Robyn said, “I attended that program in newcastle for roughly four months, and I have now been clean and sober for 21 months.”

“I have qualified as a SMART recovery facilitator and I now run a program in west Wyalong, my hometown where I have relocated back to in the Riverina.”

Robyn is now a guest speaker and travels around speaking to groups in the hopes of helping others.

She will be speaking at Hawks Nest / Tea Gardens rotary meeting on 16 April at the Tea Gardens Hotel at 6pm, and also at the Raymond Terrace Narcotics Anonymous meeting and Raymond Terrace SMART program meeting for private speaking engagements.

Robyn is available for other speaking events whilst staying in the area from 9-16 April, 2018.

If you would like to speak to Robyn about this further, she can be contacted on dunromin1965@hotmail.com.

 

By Rachael VAUGHAN