I had been using opiates for about 3 years, almost exclusively oxycodone, and nearly daily for about a year. My habit was getting pretty big, but I still managed to be pretty functional as far as school as work went. But it was definitely starting to become a problem. I had tried to quit a few times, but never too seriously.
Then I moved to Texas for the summer with a friend, and that's where I got introduced to black tar. Wow I spiraled out of control faster in 3 months with that stuff than I had in 3 years on oxycodone. I was IVing within about 2 weeks, and it was a rapid descent from there.
3 months later my only options were homeless shelter, jail, or rehab. So I chose rehab. I was very tired of the life, so I suppose that is why I got sober. Stayed completely sober for 6 months, then kind of forgot how bad it had gotten. I started using again, about a year ago.
Since then, it's been a constant struggle, with another stint in rehab. I was sober less than a month out of rehab the 2nd time, and that was about 3 months ago.
Once again, I'm facing jail or homeless, so I decided to get clean again. This time without rehab, and I think it is helping. Actually going through the sickness etc is making quite an impression on me. I'm only 5 days in right now, but I'm largely over all the physical symptoms.
Now the key is to just not forget this sickness, and how bad it really got.

Wish me luck.