'I spent £600 a month on coke'

By Jim Reed Newsbeat reporter Barry got into cocaine after having nights out drinking in the pub

The number of young people getting help for a cocaine problem is rising. New statistics for England show almost 3,000 18-24 year olds received treatment for addiction to the drug for the first time over the last year.

However, the National Treatment Agency reports a sharp fall in the numbers getting help for heroin - fewer young adults appear to be taking the drug.

Newsbeat spoke to Barry, 22, who used to spend £600 a month on cocaine and has jus finished a period of treatment.

How did you get into taking cocaine?

I went out drinking with my mates and they'd say 'Do you want a gram?' - so I'd do a gram. I'd go out and do it and do it. Then further on, it becomes you can't go out and not do it... You don't sleep, you're spending all your money, you're in debt with the wrong people, you get anxiety. I came to this point where I thought 'stuff it' and got counselling. I realised it wasn't the coke and the drink, it was underlying problems from my personal life. So I dealt with those over three months of counselling.

When did you realise it was a serious problem?

When I'd go out and say 'I cannot go out without having it on me'. You start taking days off work, you're staying up all night. Basically you lose your mind. I thought 'do you know what, I can't do this.' It changes your personality... You don't have to be bang on it everyday for it to be a problem.

I took myself there (to the treatment centre), they did an action plan. The first month was really hard. I lost a stone - I was nine and a half stone when I was doing it because I wasn't eating right. Now, after four months, I've put on a stone and a half.

How much money were you spending on cocaine?

Friday night was £150 but if you times that by four it's £600 (per month)... I could afford it because I was working full time as a carpenter. But what you've got to realise is you're working to feed your habit.

Tell me more about the treatment - how difficult is it?

You have to change your lifestyle. Instead of going out, go to the gym, instead of doing this read a book, go ice skating. Totally change your lifestyle and therefore you won't do it. Don't put yourself in situations where you think 'If I go to the pub I'm gonna bump into JimBob, he's gonna give me a gram and it's just going to escalate.' Why put yourself in that situation? That's what counselling taught me.

Does that mean you have to ditch friends that are associated with it?

I wouldn't say "friends". You find yourself associating with people that do it because that's the circle you're in. You have to differentiate yourself from them, that's a must.

I cut my mobile phone off for three months. I basically just went off the face of the earth. I took time for myself to soul search and to realise. [Those "friends"] have probably moved on to someone else. You ain't mates, they don't care about you. You're just basically 'getting off your head mates'.

What's it like after quitting cocaine?

A lot better. I'm getting on with my mum and sister, I've got money in the bank. I'm thinking about going to university to do a HND... Your mind is just a lot clearer. I look back and think I've put on weight, I look healthier, I feel healthier, I've been going to the gym three times a week, I've put on muscle. People have got time for me because I'm clearer in the mind, so I'm a real person, rather than just a zombie.