Peter Brooks pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Monday to possessing heroin and failing to answer bail.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Giles Brown said a search warrant was executed at Brooks' Ballarat East address where police found a small amount of heroin on scales.

The court heard Brooks was a long-time heroin user and admitted to possessing the drug.

Representing himself at court, Brooks said he was taking methadone as a treatment for heroin dependence.

He said his 'world had been pulled from under him' since he separated from his partner, he was living with friends and on the disability pension.

Brooks said he was doing urine testing and programs as part of a process to be able to see his son.

Magistrate Letizia Torres sentenced Brooks with conviction to a one-year good behaviour bond with a requirement he complete the Salvation Army's Positive Lifestyle Program.

She said he sentenced him with conviction because of his criminal history.

The Positive Lifestyle Program is an eight-week program covering different aspects of improving an individual's life.

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