(Part 3/3) “When I told mother about my decision, she quietly said, ‘This is the best decision you have made in your life’. I think she saw a ray of hope for her son for sure. Rehab was not easy but it was not as difficult as the sickness of my addiction. After 11 months in the rehab, I was discharged. This time I knew that if I continued with my old habits, my death was certain. The road ahead looked bleak but now I was in contact with and had the support of the people who like me were trying to live a sober life. They could understand my disease and in them I found friends. Days turned to months and months turned to years. And I started enjoying the little pleasure in life. The drugs were not a part of my life anymore and the drug induced insomnia was gone. I could finally enjoy a good night sleep. The most difficult thing for me was to regain the trust I had lost with my mother. I was not the only drug addict in the family who had betrayed her feelings and I understand that it was not easy for her to trust me overnight. It took time. And as time passed she must have started seeing the changes in me, the changes that I had made in my life. The choices I was making. I could see her becoming happier. She started socialising with her friends again. Even though like all relationships, our relationship might not be perfect but over the years we have understood each other. Today, I have been sober for 9 years and every time my mother says she is proud of me, I tell myself that I will do better. I will do better.” (Karma Sherpa, Kathmandu)