Content note: This story includes references to alcohol and drug use.
Roy is 55 and has been in recovery services for around 12 years. Today, he is 13 months clean and sober.
His drinking started young.
“I started going in pubs drinking and smoking weed at 14,” he says. “Using other party drugs also for about 10 years.”
After that, Roy stopped using drugs but continued drinking.
“I put the drugs down and started drinking full time. I thought it was normal being brought up around drinkers.”
Around 20 years ago, the people closest to him began to notice the impact alcohol was having on his life.
“Friends and family started to comment I was drinking too much,” Roy says. “I dismissed it, thinking they were just nagging and telling myself I could stop anytime I wanted.”
But things continued to get worse.
“As time passed, I was systematically dismantling my life by pushing away the ones I loved and isolating myself to drink and didn’t even realise I was doing it.”
By the start of 2025, Roy says he had reached a point where he could no longer carry on as he was.
“At the beginning of 2025 I was alone in my flat, unable to walk, cut all ties with everyone and unable to cope,” he says. “I realised enough really was enough.”
Roy reached out to Spark and took part in the pre-DEAP and DEAP community rehabilitation programme.
Looking back, he says the support he received made a real difference.
“With the commitment of Spark staff to see me succeed has been gold and with both our hard work I’m now reaping the rewards and getting a meaningful and productive life I never thought possible.”
Recovery remains something Roy approaches one day at a time.
“I am currently 13 months clean and sober, taking life one day at a time.”