Ex-drug addict Michelle Zelli tells us how cannabis almost ruined her life.

High-flying career woman and mum-of-two, Michelle, 48, found herself struggling to cope with her office job, until she was offered cannabis at a party seven years ago.

Michelle and her husband, Greg, had divorced in 1993 and the two shared custody of their sons, Max and Edward, then aged ten and seven.

Michelle worked in high pressured jobs, first as a national sales manager for a utility company, and then as an operations director for a production firm.

Unbeknown to her family and friends Michelle began smoking cannabis on a daily basis. Her social life suffered as she stopped going out and her short-term memory was also affected.

By the summer of 2008 Michelle was finding it hard to control her emotions and after visiting her GP to get help quitting the drugs, she was sent to see further doctors.

Michelle was at first diagnosed with depression and then by one doctor with bipolar. Michelle quit her job as she could no longer cope with the pressure.

Her lowest point came 11 months ago when she rushed her son and grandson out of the door after inviting them over for lunch as she couldn’t wait for her next hit.

Michelle came off the drugs herself with the support of her family and friends.

She has been drug free since the 4th December.

Michelle also decided to become a life coach and now help addicts and their families.