**Mum’s Battle with £20,000 Cocaine Addiction: “Don’t Suffer in Silence”**
A mother from Oxfordshire has issued a stark warning about the dangers of cocaine after her decade-long battle with addiction left her financially devastated and risking her health. Charlee Hill, now 31, says her substance abuse spiralled out of control, consuming not just tens of thousands of pounds, but also nearly costing her life.
Charlee’s journey into addiction began innocuously enough at the age of 21, when she first encountered cocaine during a night out with friends. What started as a once-in-a-while social occurrence quickly escalated. Over the course of two years, that casual use evolved into a daily crutch. Before she realised the gravity of her habit, she was using cocaine nearly every morning to function, spending upwards of £1,000 each week.
“I just didn’t think drugs were for me until that moment,” Charlee recounts about her first time using cocaine. “It began as something occasional, a bit of fun with friends. But soon, if there was any left over from a night out, I’d find myself using it alone just to get through a bad day.” This shift marked the start of a dangerous dependency that soon took over her life.
The financial toll was severe. Charlee estimates she poured around £20,000 in total into her addiction. She found herself sinking ever deeper into debt, using credit cards and payday loans to fund what felt like an unstoppable habit. At one point, she owed as much as £10,000, a burden she has only recently managed to clear.
Physically, the extent of her drug use became impossible to ignore. Charlee suffered with frequent nosebleeds—a direct result, she believes, of snorting increasingly larger amounts each day. Images captured the painful reality of her condition, highlighting a sinister side of addiction that’s seldom seen in parties or glamourised settings.
Emotionally and socially, cocaine became all-consuming. “It was like my best friend,” Charlee says about her isolation, admitting that she withdrew from people and everyday tasks, preferring her own company and the temporary confidence boost the drug provided. “I couldn’t even face going to the shops or chatting to someone without it. It was the first thing I’d do on waking, every single day.”
Despite her struggles, Charlee is clear that her addiction was kept separate from her role as a mother. She is adamant that she never used in front of her child, though she acknowledges the profound effect that prolonged addiction had on her family’s life.
Her turning point came after an unsuccessful stint in rehab in 2019, followed by a relapse. It was in August 2021, four years ago, that Charlee made the decisive break and chose a different path, citing her child’s wellbeing and a growing desire for a better life as key motivators. “I couldn’t go on any longer. It would have killed me eventually – my nose was constantly painful, and I’m not sure I’d be alive today if I hadn’t stopped.”
Today, Charlee is proud of her recovery and eager to share what she has learnt in the hope of helping others. To anyone struggling, she advises: “Reach out and talk to someone. If you relapse, start again and don’t lose hope. Addiction isn’t something I’d wish on anyone – it’s not worth throwing your life away. My biggest advice would be: don’t suffer in silence and, if possible, don’t even try it in the first place.”
Charlee’s story is an important reminder that addiction can affect anyone and underscores the importance of seeking support without shame. Her journey from near-destruction to recovery serves as both a stark warning and a message of hope for those battling their own demons.