Content note: This story includes references to substance use, hospital treatment and recovery.
Two years ago, Geoff says he would have struggled to go 10 minutes without using drugs.
Today, he is 12 months drug-free, volunteering with the same service that supported him and helping others in recovery.
“I’m Geoff, a 48-year-old recovering addict and I’ve been known to the drug services for over 25 years,” he says.
Geoff started drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis when he was 12 years old. Before long, he was using a range of other substances, including ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines and prescription drugs. By the age of 20, he was regularly using heroin and was receiving methadone treatment.
Over the years, his substance use had a huge impact on his life.
“I alienated and isolated myself from my children, family and friends,” he says. “I lost everything I’d worked to achieve.”
As his drug use continued, his health got worse. Eventually, he became seriously ill and spent nine months in hospital.
While he was there, Geoff attended Tuesday Narcotics Anonymous meetings using the FAMA bus service provided by Spark, which helps people get to mutual aid meetings when attending alone feels difficult. Looking back, he says he still struggled to accept how much help he needed.
“Despite being in hospital for that length of time, I felt I didn’t really need rehab because I was clean and free from methadone,” he says.
Geoff’s keyworker had spoken to him about THOMAS Residential Rehabilitation years earlier. This time, he decided to take that step, saying: “The 12-step programme, A Design For Life, helped me learn how to live without the bandage of self, drugs and alcohol.”
He credits a combination of support, determination and faith for helping him move forward, adding: “The persistence of Spark staff for not giving up on me gave me inspiration, my hard work and faith saved my life.”
After completing treatment with Spark Blackburn with Darwen and residential rehabilitation at THOMAS, Geoff continued his recovery journey through the second stage of the THOMAS programme.
Now in a stronger place, he wants to give something back.
Geoff has recently started volunteering with the Spark team. Although he is still new to the role, he is building his confidence, taking part in training and supporting others in group sessions. He has also taken part in a Comedy Workshop showcase.
He is keen to use his own experiences to support people both through Spark and within the wider recovery community that continues to play an important role in his life.
“I am now 12 months free from drugs,” he says, “and two years ago I would have struggled to get 10 minutes without using.”