Jonathan Bolwell is seeing the world in colour again.
He now spends his days helping those, like himself, whose lives have been derailed by addiction.
"I'm waking up sober with a clear mind," he says.
"I can see all the colours everywhere, it's not grey … I feel happy."
But for most of the past decade, it has been a different story.
Mr Bolwell, now 30, first tried methylamphetamine at a party when he was 21.
"I was too naive to think they would give me something that would hurt me," he says.
"Within a couple of seconds, I was hooked."
But the West Australian man is far from alone in his recent struggles with the drug, with statistics showing consumption surging back towards pre-COVID levels.
The most recent National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Report showed a 40 per cent rise in consumption of the drug in WA.
According to the data, the state's regional areas had the highest average meth consumption in the country.
The problem has long confounded different governments, drained emergency services, and devastated families.
For Mr Bolwell, a father of one, the long journey to recovery started at a sprawling and scenic property about 700 kilometres from his home in Perth.
'They do change your life'
The Grace Academy driveway is lined with hundreds of trees — one for each person who has completed the rehabilitation program.
Based on a 100-hectare property, about 40km north of Esperance, the faith-based program has been reforming lives for decades.
"Our motto is that we put hope in people struggling with life-controlling addictions," executive director Steve Hall says.
Founded on Christian principles, the 40-bed facility helps "students" regain control of their lives over the course of 12 months.
"There are many great stories of not just individuals whose lives have been transformed but families that have come back together again," Mr Hall says
"Residential rehabs do work, they do make a difference, they do change your life."
Mr Hall says alcohol and meth addiction are the most common challenges facing the program's participants.
He believes the state needs to invest more in residential rehabilitation facilities outside of Perth.
"We know that we need more centres around, especially in regional areas," he says.
"And if you have a look at our remote and regional areas, there are massive issues."
It is a sentiment shared by Michelle Holzknecht, manager of Bunbury-based not-for-profit organisation Doors Wide Open.
"There are not that many rehabs in regional areas," she says.
"A lot of people like to be close to family, but some have to travel to the city, which is a big ask of somebody."
The organisation specialises in supporting people affected by drug addiction, particularly meth, with lengthy waiting lists proving a barrier to people seeking help.
"When they come in our doors, they are pretty set, they want to go [to rehab] now," Ms Holzknecht says.
"But it can take a little while to get an interview, go through an application process, and then they have to wait until there's a spot available."
Over the years, she has become all too familiar with the corrosive impact of meth.
"It's destroying people's lives," she says.
"Not only the person who's addicted to it, but the families, friends — it affects everybody."
Hundreds of millions spent
Since 2017, the WA government has spent more than $600 million on its Methamphetamine Action Plan.
The Mental Health Commission provides funding for a suite of prevention programs and support services across WA.
"When it comes to support for people experiencing issues with alcohol and other drugs, each community across Western Australia has unique needs," Mental Health Commissioner Maureen Lewis says.
"The people, families, and carers of people who experience issues with alcohol and other drugs all deserve appropriate support close to home."
In 2018, a methamphetamine taskforce report detailed how "challenging it is for people seeking treatment … to access help in a timely way".
While describing residential rehabilitation as a "very effective treatment" for meth users, the taskforce made clear that it was not suitable for all people seeking help.
'Life or death' decision
Shannon Lumsden can hardly remember her 20s.
It is a blur of a decade marred by poor health, crime, and lost relationships.
"I was hanging out with my friend, and he overdosed on my couch," she says.
"That was my rock bottom."
Having finally realised the damage meth had wrought on her life, Ms Lumsden sought help.
She entered the Grace Academy program in May 2022.
While challenging at first, it has proven lifesaving for the 31-year-old, who is now sober and happily married.
Ms Lumsden has a message for people currently grappling with a meth addiction.
"This is life or death, and if you really want life, take it," she said.
"So many of my friends have died from drugs."
Ms Lumsden and Mr Bolwell now work at Grace Academy helping those looking for similar help with addiction.
Mr Bolwell has also rekindled his love of playing guitar, as well as his faith.
"When I first came into the program, I was a mess," he says.
"So it's really beneficial to me to be able to give back to the place that gave me my life back."
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