Dave Mullen, who took his first line of cocaine on his 17th birthday after someone offered it to him at a pub, now looks back on that moment with deep regret. He says it was a naive decision that set off a dangerous path.
The former carpet fitter said things escalated fast. What started as casual drug use during football trips and lads’ holidays soon became something he couldn’t stop.
Things hit a terrifying low when he went into a coma brought on by drug-induced psychosis. A photo taken in August 2021 captured the haunting image of Dave with extremely bloodshot, almost glowing red eyes.
Months after the incident, his eyes were still alarmingly red. When he returned to his job at a retirement home, one resident was so scared by his appearance that they chased him with a Bible, convinced he was the devil.
It wasn’t until March 2024, after he ended up in the hospital and doctors warned he could die if he didn’t stop, that Dave decided to finally change his life. Since that visit, he has stayed sober.
Now, Dave is choosing to speak out, hoping that sharing his story might help others who are struggling with addiction or considering using drugs themselves.
“At 19 I noticed it had become an addiction. Every year it got worse and worse and would affect so many people around me due to the mental health episodes I would have.”
Reflecting on the photo that showed his bloodshot eyes, Dave said: “This was a result of a four or five-day bender and I ended up going into a drug-induced psychosis and I completely lost my mind.”
Today, Dave has made it his mission to educate others about the harsh realities of drug abuse.
He said: “I don’t think we’re educated enough about the dangers of these drugs or alcohol.”
“I think my story and the pictures in particular show that it’s dangerous and I don’t want cocaine to be so normalised and acceptable in society.”