The sister of one NHS The nurse had no idea why she had committed suicide at the age of 33 – until she read her diary which revealed how cocaine had taken over her life.
Jennifer Porter died by suicide after struggling with drug addiction for years while building a successful career in healthcare.
Her sister Josie has now revealed that her sister’s death came out of the blue and that she was a ‘ball of joy’ to her friends and family until her death.
But after finding Jennifer’s diaries, Josie discovered the debilitating effects of her sister’s cocaine addiction.
“When I was looking through her stuff, I was trying to find answers, and in the end it all comes down to drugs,” Josie, a dietitian and author, said. The times.
She thought her sister was just enjoying the occasional “bender,” but her diary revealed that her cocaine use went much further.
Josie said: ‘When I went through her notes I got a lot of detail about the amount of drugs she was taking. It still baffles me. No wonder she had such a hard time.’
The nurse’s sister has spoken out to highlight the warning signs of a high-functioning addiction.
Jennifer Porter, who died at the age of 33, died by suicide after struggling with drug addiction for years while building a successful career in healthcare
Josie Porter (left) and her sister Jennifer, who committed suicide after years of cocaine use
Despite regular cocaine use in her spare time, Jennifer never used the drugs at work, according to her sister, and was a successful nurse at St Richard’s Hospital in West Sussex.
Josie believes her sister would have been terrified of losing her job if she sought help for her cocaine addiction.
Josie said: ‘Jenn was the kind of person who would never misbehave at school. She would never get a prison sentence. She always wanted to play by the rules.
“I think even if someone told her it was okay to get help, there would be a part of her that doubted it because she was so ashamed of herself.
“If she lost her nursing registration it would be the end of everything for her because that was her ability to survive. That was probably a real fear for her.”
“To people who didn’t know her, she would have seemed so successful. Many people say that addiction doesn’t discriminate, and I think that’s true. Drug use has become so normalized in society, and people may think that they are immune from developing a problem because they have a job, a house and a car and feel successful.
“But I just don’t think that’s the case. Just because someone looks good doesn’t mean they are.’
“She said we would have the best summer ever, we talked about going to New York. We had tickets to see Post Malone, one of her favorite artists. [The suicide] it just came completely out of the blue,” Josie said.
Josie has previously spoken out about the shock the suicide was.
‘It really seemed like things were getting better. She had bought a new phone, had deliveries on the way and booked concerts.
Despite regular cocaine use in her spare time, Jennifer never used the drugs at work, according to her sister, and was a successful nurse at St Richard’s Hospital in West Sussex.
Her sister Josie has now revealed that her sister’s death came out of the blue and that she was a ‘ball of joy’ to her friends and family until her death
The NHS nurse had started using cocaine when she lost her grandfather in May 2015
‘That’s why it was such a shock, I just didn’t expect it. Looking back now, there are things I missed. She took her own life at that moment – I know it – because even though she tried before, she always regretted it.”
The NHS nurse had started using cocaine when she lost her grandfather in May 2015.
Her sister said their grandfather was the father figure of their family and his death “hit Jenn very hard.”
And at the same time, she had just met someone who sold cocaine, so she had easy access to it.
But despite her grief and increasing addiction to the drug, she helped patients through the Covid-19 pandemic while dealing with demanding shifts and staff shortages.
Josie said, “Jenn was a wonderful nurse who spent her life helping other people.”
Suicide rates among nurses in England are 23 percent higher than the general population and charities have called for nurses to be given access to mental health and addictions care.
Josie added that her sister’s case highlighted the importance of “keeping conversations alive” about mental health.
“I think when someone looks better, sometimes they’re the most vulnerable,” she said.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
