'You can get cocaine faster than a pizza' - recovering addict warns men of drug and porn addiction

Louise Walsh

"You'd probably get a bag of cocaine delivered to you faster than a pizza," said a recovering addict who is also highlighting the dangers of drug use and porn among males.

Chris Jenkins says his nose collapsed due to cocaine use, he overdosed twice and while in cocaine-induced psychosis, he hid in a bush, believing there were hidden cameras in his home.

He also walked the streets with a knife, convinced he was being chased by people wanting to kill him.

But since Chris started posting about his cocaine addiction which went hand-in-hand with his porn use, his social media following has exploded with men relieved that they are not alone.

His downhill journey started when he was 16 years old on the beach near his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, when he made 'a stupid decision' to take his first line of coke.

"I just absolutely fell in love with it right then. I just didn't want to stop. It was like it wrapped me up in cotton wool to protect me from the world but I know now it is a drug that deceives," he said.

He was let go from an apprenticeship at a garage and from a job in the Department of Justice because of his drug use, though he says the latter did offer him in-house help and support.

He was dropped from Bohemians U18 and U20 and League of Ireland because he didn't bother turning up for training. A semi-professional contract with a club in Perth in Australia was also nullified.

A full-time move to Spain was scuppered and he had to return to Ireland after he lost his home there because his finances were spent on cocaine and premier porn sites.

Since he started posting about the destructive combination of cocaine and porn, Chris has been contacted by men of all ages from all over the world.

"No one talks about cocaine and porn together and the guilt it leaves. Men have thanked me for saving their lives because of the guilt they feel.

"I speak about it and my experience because I've been to hell and back and I don't care. Cocaine takes control and you need more and more dopamine. Porn is almost just as much a problem for coke addicts as the coke itself, in my opinion.

"So many men have hated themselves after making risky decisions and risky behaviour after a mix of cocaine and porn.

"I was blackmailed. My ex-partner was sent a naked image of me doing weird stuff on cocaine. Thankfully, I didn't take my life over it, but I really believe similar circumstances have had a devastating effect on many."

After being clean for seven months, Chris relapsed for 12 days, overdosing and ending up on O2 therapy in hospital where medics told him he may not see 35.

"I'm 35 now. I've been clean since last May. My soul woke up and I swore I'd never touch a drug, porn or alcohol again. I've a daughter to take care of. I'm taking it day by day, but day by day I'm getting stronger and a lot of that strength is coming from helping others."

He says he still thinks of cocaine every day and gets flashbacks but will never return to those 19 years that were robbed from him.

"My nose collapsed and my septum is permanently damaged internally and I've lost three teeth, all due to cocaine use."

Chris believes that it is too late to stop the tide of cocaine but insists that education and people like him talking about their experiences will help save some young people.

"I give talks now, and out of ten people in the room, maybe two will take my advice on board. The others will tell themselves they are untouchable, like I told myself - until it happens.

"Don't do it because the first time you take it, you're f***ed. If your best friends are taking it - stay away from them.

"You can get a bag of coke delivered now quicker than a pizza. It's too late to stop it now. It's everywhere."

Chris posts his story on Instagram at @rebuildwithChris.