SHE now rakes in a whopping £13,000 a month thanks to TikTok.
But just a few years ago, Shannon Ashley’s life was looking very different – and it’s all because of trying aged 13.
Shannon, now 30, became addicted to heroin after trying it aged 13
Speaking candidly, she wants to inspire other drug addicts to seek help to turn their lives around
Shannon (right), pictured with her sister Paige Roberts
From there, it spiralled into a life of crime – and stealing to feed her costly habit.
Shannon, now 30, hit rock bottom after losing her home, her son and ending up in prison for a second time for breaking conditions of her licence – and decided to kick her habit once and for all.
It wasn’t an easy journey. Shannon relied on methadone to wean off drugs and did a special course in , called building skills, to help her understand her addiction.
Speaking candidly, she wants to inspire other to seek help to turn their lives around.
After getting clean she met her wife – factory worker Kathleen, 32 – and went on to have their daughter’s – now 15 and 3 months old.
Shannon, a content creator, from Cleethorpes, , said: “I am honestly proud of how hard I have worked and what I have achieved. I want every one to know that recovery is possible.
“I’ve gone from the worst of the worst to the best I can ever be.
“I honestly can’t explain how my mindset suddenly changed.
“It was like a flash before my eyes, I just knew I could change my life.”
For the mum-of-two, it was ending up behind the bars that saved her.
“I’d be dead if I hadn’t gone to prison. I met the most amazing people in prison staff, and I benefited hugely from the routine.”
As a child, Shannon lacked stability – her home life was hectic and despite her mum trying her best, the family lived on the breadline in a very .
“I can’t believe it when I look back on the things I did, I feel awful about them, but I can only move forward and accept it. It’s all brought me to where I am now.”
Shannon first started smoking heroin as a teenager in summer 2008 – and immediately became hooked on it, spending £50 on a gram that would only last her a couple of hours.
A year later, in December 2009, she fell pregnant – but that didn’t stop her from taking the class A drug.
Her son, now 15, was born three months early weighing 2lbs 4oz, in May 2010.
GETTING HELP:
If you think that you have a drug addiction then please contact your GP.
You can also visit FRANK for honest information about drugs and to find local treatment services.
If you are having trouble finding the right help, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 03001236600
Or click here to visit the NHS website for more advice and support
Shannon said: “It was such a complicated set of feelings. I hated it and wanted it too.
“The drug had a hold over me.
“I started using when I fell pregnant, but then I started taking heroin again too.”
Shannon spent the next four years in and out of a – but was hooked on methadone when she wasn’t using the drug.
But when her ex-husband, then 35, was arrested and went to prison for five years for supplying drugs Shannon spiralled.
She took any drug she could get hold of – including amphetamines and crack – and stole whatever she could to fund her addiction.
She also used her £700 which she started dealing to others.
She developed paranoia, lost her home, and her son was sent to live with her mum.
She spent four years in prison but struggled with withdrawal.
Shannon was released on licence after serving four of her six year term, but took drugs and ran away from the registered address so ended up back behind bars for another year.
I just wanted a family and a job – just a normal, regular life
Shannon Ashley30
It was the final wake-up call the mum needed so desperately.
Shannon said: “It was stricter, but it also dawned on me that this could be my life, and I realised that wasn’t what I wanted.
“In prison I prayed every night that I’d be able to stop taking heroin and suddenly I felt my prayers were answered.
“It really was like someone up there was watching.
“I realised I was in control and I started to have dreams and ambitions.
“I just wanted a family and a job – just a normal, regular life.”
Shannon (left) who kicked her heroin habit pictured on her wedding day to Kathleen
Taking control of her life
Shannon kicked her habit by working and learning in prison: cooking for staff, and gained qualifications, including maths, English, hospitality and catering.
She left prison in March 2021 to live in supported housing, got her son back in the May, and volunteered in a charity shop.
She now makes money on – earning between £3,000 to £13,000 a month so she can come off her job seekers allowance.
She met her now wife through the social media platform in November 2021 and they got married in May 2024.
The underwent to conceive their first daughter, born in July 2024, and their second, born in May 2025.
Shannon has permanent damage to her liver and has been diagnosed with due to her addiction.
She said: “I’m so happy now. People on drugs can’t accept help.
“You don’t believe it’s drawing you into addiction.
“People tried to tell me I’d get addicted. I just couldn’t hear them. I was sure it wouldn’t happen to me.
“I want people to know it’s worth accepting help from drug workers, and believe in yourself.
“If you have a relative on drugs get help, because you will be struggling too.
“Stick with them, knowing somebody is there means a lot.
“I used to think I don’t deserve all these lovely things, but I’ve worked hard and I don’t have to be hard on myself.
“We don’t realise what a privilege it is to sit on the sofa and switch on the TV or make a coffee without having to inject or something first.”
Shannon has permanent damage to her liver and has been diagnosed with PTSD due to her addiction 
