A transgender woman who spent $92,500 AUD (£53,552) on plastic surgery was forced to spend Christmas in rehab after becoming addicted to painkillers.
Jolene Dawson, 21, from Australia’s Gold Coast, first hit headlines earlier this year after revealing she had forked out tens of thousands on procedures including prosthetic breasts and bum implants in her quest to look like a doll.
But now Jolene, who was born male but identifies as a woman, has told how her post-op painkiller prescription soon spiralled into a drug addiction that resulted in her being sent to rehab by her concerned family over the festive period.
The 21-year-old, who was born male but identifies as a woman, says she was taking oxycodones, a type of opioid pain medication, to recover from her cosmetic procedures but soon became dependent on the drug which led to her experimenting with illegal substances including cocaine.
Jolene Dawson has told she spent Christmas in rehab after becoming addicted to painkillers. The businesswoman has spent $92,500 AUD (£53,552) on plastic surgery procedures
Jolene (pictured in hospital before her nose job) first hit headlines after revealing she had forked out tens of thousands on procedures including prosthetic breasts and bum implants
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline FEMAIL, Jolene said: ‘I started taking four oxycodones a day and ended up taking nine everyday, and it even made me more open to trying illicit drugs like cocaine and MDMA.
‘Codeine is really how I got into the [oxycodone]’ once the codeine stopped working I had to take something stronger and without the pills everything hurt, even my hair.
‘I knew it was a problem when I received a letter from my doctor saying they would no longer see me in their clinic.
‘Luckily for me the addiction was more of a physical addiction rather than an emotional dependency, so I only had to detox.’
Jolene, who was born male but identifies as a woman, has told how the painkillers she took spiralled into a drug addiction that resulted in her being sent to rehab (pictured during recovery with a bottle of Mountain Dew energy drink; Jolene claims she drinks around 4l a day
Jolene (pictured before, left, and after her breast enhancement) says she was taking oxycodones, a type of opioid pain medication, to recover from her cosmetic procedures
Jolene, who buys and sells businesses for a living, explained: ‘I went to a private rehab in Christchurch, New Zealand so I had distance [from her home on Australia’s Gold Coast] and didn’t feel like I could quit on the program.
‘Rehab was awful. The sheets weren’t exactly Egyptian cotton. It involved a lot of Kayaking and eating a lot of fruit.
‘I’m glad I went through this experience and I came out of it a better person. I had a huge chip on my shoulder and I think I’ve shaken that.’
Speaking about her crippling addiction, Jolene said: Jolene said: ‘I started taking four oxycodones a day and ended up taking nine everyday, and it even made me more open to trying elicit drugs like cocaine and MDMA’
![The businesswoman told MailOnline: 'Codeine is really how I got into the [oxycodone], once the codeine stopped working I had to take something stronger and without the pills everything hurt, even my hair'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/12/29/11/479EEAE100000578-5220175-image-a-22_1514547351417.jpg)
The businesswoman told MailOnline: ‘Codeine is really how I got into the [oxycodone], once the codeine stopped working I had to take something stronger and without the pills everything hurt, even my hair’
Jolene, who has splashed a fortune on beauty treatments including full-body hair removal as part of an ongoing bid to alter her appearance, says her stint in rehab has ‘put into perspective how valuable life and family is’.
‘I know that it must have been hard for my family to not see me over the holiday season but it was for the best,’ she said.
Now back from the clinic and enjoying quality time with her family, Jolene fears she has ‘replaced’ her addiction to oxycodone with sugar.
She explained: ‘I’ve been drinking a lot of Mountain Dew Energised, about 4 litres a day, that can’t be any better for my body.’
After being discharged from rehab, Jolene is back home with her family and says she has ‘replaced the pills on bedside table with my favourite Chanel perfume set’
She added: ‘I don’t regret getting the plastic surgery and still plan on getting more in the New Year. This New Year’s Eve, I’m going to have a drug- and alcohol-free night with close friends and family.
‘I did get to spend a belated Christmas with my family and I was still showered with love and of course Christmas gifts.
‘I’ve since replaced the pills on bedside table with my favourite Chanel perfume set.’
Jolene now plans to work with charities to help other people struggling with addiction and to raise awareness around the dangers of prescription drugs.