The opiate doda is growing in popularity in Metro Vancouver's South Asian community, but one recovering addict warns that the drug nearly destroyed his life.
Thirty-six-year-old Raj has come a long way since he first sought help for his doda addiction at a recovery house in Surrey.
At 18 years old he started using the drug and before long it had taken over his life.
"I lost my family. Lost everything -- my job -- because of doda," he said.
He would use up to five times a day and eventually needed it to perform daily tasks.
"Then I can't stop and keep on using everyday. If I don't use, I can't go to work, can't do anything."
Raj said after taking the drug he would get high, and then extremely sleepy. This was particularly dangerous because he was working as a truck driver at the time.
He got in two car accidents, once in his sister's car and once in his own.
Addictions counsellor Hardev Randhawa said doda use is seen primarily within the Indo-Canadian community and is gaining in popularity.
He said that some truck drivers, plumbers and construction workers use it to stay awake on the job.
"It's cheap and it gives you the same buzz you get from heroin. It's similar stuff," he said.
Although it's similar to heroin, Randhawa warns that the detox from doda is much worse.
Raj said the physical withdrawal from doda was very intense.
"My bones were hurting. Diarrhea. Sweating. Everything happens," he said.
After many months of treatment, Raj has broken his addiction and is now trying to put his life back together. He still gets cravings sometimes but said it feels good to be back in control after doda almost ruined his life.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Michele Brunoro
