“Keep your word” - Duncan’s journey after quitting cannabis

Sometimes it can be difficult to acknowledge and seek support for your own mental health issues.

For selectability consumer Duncan, understanding his mental wellbeing not only helped him quit cannabis, but saved his life.

The 43-year-old has been living with schizophrenia since he was a young adult and had been using cannabis since his early years of high school.

“Most of my life I have been pretty reliant on cannabis ... up until a few years ago, when I started having anxiety attacks, mixed with a fear of the outdoors (agoraphobia),” Duncan said.

“I knew I had to seek out such ways of managing such a problem.”

Duncan started accessing support through selectability's NDIS recovery coaching as well as attending Townsville Mental Health Hub.

“Those panic attacks were what made me quit cannabis, I was telling myself ‘I have to fix this problem or learn to cope with it,’ because it is a serious deal, especially when you have been mentally healthy up until now.

“It was different to my schizophrenia, that is like being a diabetic where you can get through life relatively healthily, as long as you are taking your medication.

“This is different, I used to think people we're hypochondriacs when they said they had anxiety or panic attacks, but it turns out it is a real problem.

“That’s when I quit cannabis cold turkey which saved my life.

Duncan said in his last 12 months, his sobriety has allowed him to become more cognitive, with better concentration and problem solving, all things that have reduced the frequency of his panic attacks.

“My mother was by my side, I vowed to her that I wouldn’t go back to that, and I tried my best to keep my word.

“Because to me, it is no use giving someone your word, unless you keep it, otherwise what is the point in volunteering it in the first place?

With recovery coaching support from selectability, an regular attendance at the local mental health hub, Duncan has connected with people in similar situations and moved outside his comfort zone.

 “At the end of the day, humans are emotional creatures, they do need to socialise.

“That’s the reason I have been able to stay sober for the 12 months is because I did things like come to selectability Corner Mental Health Hub for a few hours, three days a week.

You might say Duncan’s well-spoken nature and self-awareness of his own mental health is unique to his character.

But in truth, Duncan wants to use his story to inspire others, in the hopes it can encourage others be more self-aware and reach out and seek assistance where needed.

“The reason I reached out in the first place was because I realised my own mortality.”

“Being aboriginal my life expectancy isn’t going to be as long as a non-indigenous Australian, so I sought help so that I could do my best to keep out of harm’s way.

“I want to keep my health a bit longer, maybe even stay alive a bit longer so I can put some good in the world.

“The main take away from all of this is; you really have to be honest with yourself, as honest as you can possibly be, because it helps you in the long run.”