Peggy-Sue celebrates 13 years in recovery from addiction

25 Jan 2023 | 1 min read

In issue two (2023) of Psychologie magazine, five people share how they overcame addiction. Peggy-Sue Figueira also tells her story.

In the interview with Psychologie, Peggy-Sue speaks candidly about her cocaine addiction and the intervention that ultimately saved her.

As well as being an interventionist, Peggy-Sue Figueira is a lived-experience specialist. This has given her considerable personal insight into the complexity of the disease of addiction.

Using cocaine gave Peggy-Sue an instant feeling of euphoria. The energy and sense of confidence were always short-lived, however.

Peggy-Sue used secretly for nine months. “Money was not a problem; I had just sold my house at a profit and my wife had money too. In nine months, I snorted €100,000 worth of cocaine.” Peggy-Sue became increasingly distant from her family and friends. She was no longer able to keep appointments. Eventually, it was her sister who took Peggy-Sue to an addiction clinic to recover.

Although Peggy-Sue has now been clean for 13 years, the dark chapter does not feel entirely closed. “I haven’t used it for years, but I still see myself as an addict.”

If you are genuinely susceptible to addiction, moderation is virtually impossible. It is therefore all or nothing. Not one glass of wine or a beer at a party, but consistently choosing alcohol-free drinks. The same applies to all other intoxicating substances.

Order issue 2 of Psychologie Magazine here