A former police detective has revealed the harrowing details of her descent into cocaine and alcohol addiction, which she attributes to an abusive relationship that left her £50,000 in debt. Cerys Ashcomb, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, described how she maintained a double life, appearing as a functional professional while secretly battling severe addiction.
Ashcomb, who had a career as a detective dealing with serious crime, met her husband, Greg, in 2018. At the time, she was recovering from a previous traumatic marriage and was vulnerable. Initially, Greg seemed like a wonderful partner, and they married in 2019. However, shortly after moving into a larger home, his behavior changed drastically. He became critical, cruel, and began using cocaine openly, often while drinking heavily.
The Onset of Addiction
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Ashcomb's stress and unhappiness with her deteriorating relationship led her to increase her alcohol consumption. Greg, she states, would encourage her drinking but then verbally abuse her, making cruel remarks about her past and her habits. This cycle intensified as Greg began using cocaine in front of her, and strangers started visiting their home to buy drugs, revealing he was dealing.
Feeling trapped by her reputation as a respectable person and by the hope that Greg would change, Ashcomb stayed in the relationship. Greg's emotional and financial abuse chipped away at her confidence. In 2020, while drunk and crying, Greg offered her cocaine, which she accepted. She described this moment as a turning point, where cocaine offered a temporary escape and a sense of strength that alcohol could not provide. This led to daily use, both during the day and at night.
Financial Abuse and a Breaking Point
The financial abuse escalated as Greg insisted Ashcomb cover all household bills, including food and car expenses, since he was paying for their cocaine and alcohol. As a full-time student living off savings and a loan, she resorted to credit cards to meet his demands. She felt further trapped, knowing her addiction could be used against her.
The cycle of abuse, alcohol, and cocaine continued through 2021. Even after qualifying as a social worker, Ashcomb found herself unable to leave the toxic situation. The pressure became unbearable, and she attempted suicide by taking an overdose of pills. Found unconscious by a family member, she was taken to the hospital but refused psychological support, unwilling to admit the extent of her struggles. After being discharged, she stayed with her sister. Greg responded by burning her clothes and sending a video, leading her to eventually return home out of a sense of hopelessness.
Escape and Recovery
The financial abuse worsened, with Greg refusing to pay his share of the mortgage, forcing Ashcomb to take out loans. The relationship finally ended at the close of 2021 when Greg became physically abusive, assaulting her at their home. This incident prompted her to call the police, leading to Greg's arrest and a restraining order.
Following the separation, Ashcomb sold their home in 2022 to pay off approximately £50,000 in debts accumulated from Greg's financial abuse and her cocaine habit, leaving her with very little. While she was granted a five-year restraining order, her addictions persisted. She found that traditional methods like AA and NA meetings were not effective for her, though counseling helped her understand the roots of her addiction.
Last year, Ashcomb discovered hypnotherapy and underwent three sessions with a specialist. While she experienced relapses between the first two sessions, she noted significant progress. By the completion of the third session and incorporating guided recordings, she found her cravings for alcohol and cocaine diminished significantly. She reported being able to walk past tempting establishments without feeling the urge to drink or use drugs.
Today, Ashcomb is clean and sober, having changed careers to work for a children's charity. She is focused on her health and rebuilding her life. While she is single and has found it difficult to trust men again due to her experiences, she has heard that Greg has allegedly continued a pattern of abuse with other women. Ashcomb expressed pride in having escaped both her abusive relationship and her addictions.