Lee's Story
Meet Lee. Lee is a group facilitator at Pathways to Recovery, our free drug and alcohol treatment service based in Warrington.
Pathways is sharing real experiences to show the person behind recovery and encourage our community to show that compassion can open doors to a brighter future, for all.
They invite us to look beyond our assumptions and see the person: their journey, resilience, hopes and dreams.
“I first tried cannabis when I was 11 or 12, while drinking in the park with mates after school. That park culture was normal life. By 15, amphetamines came around.
Then I found cocaine.
That was the one that really took hold of me. I used it heavily for years. I told myself that because I had a job, I didn’t have a problem. But really, I was just working to fund my habit.
I kept moving away for a fresh start, but I’d always find the same crowd. Different faces; same lifestyle. My family life deteriorated and I ended up living in my van for two years. I still worked on building sites, but I was using every day. I pushed everyone away. I told myself I could do it on my own, but I couldn’t, and things got bad.
When I got arrested for drug driving, I took it as a sign. I asked my GP to refer me to Pathways to Recovery and I’ve never looked back.
The woman who assessed me had experience of substance use, so she understood. It was like a welcome home. Pathways gave me the tools to rebuild my life.
Some of my hardest times have been since getting sober. I lost my younger cousin to drugs and alcohol. That was tough, but I used it to strengthen my recovery. I tell people now that the drugs weren’t the problem; my thinking was. It’s pride and fear of asking for help that keep people stuck.
Healthcare professionals need to know about the support on offer at Pathways. I talked to doctors about my problems many times over the years and Pathways wasn’t mentioned. But I definitely experienced stigma as soon as I mentioned I used drugs. It’s not a nice feeling and the fear of that reaction stops people reaching out for help.
People who use drugs and alcohol aren’t bad people; we’re struggling with a mental health condition. If there were more understanding, people would get help a lot sooner.
Remember: we’re human. Treat us with care and understanding.
To anyone struggling: don’t let fear of judgement stop you from asking for help. Come to Pathways. You’ll be met with kindness.
Today, I’m no longer a struggling addict on a building site; I’m a full-time member of the Pathways team.
Every day, I see people change their lives and hear how this affects their families and friends. That’s the ripple effect of recovery. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Visit the Pathways to Recovery website to read more stories from people who have been supported by our service in Warrington, and discover what you can do to support a more compassionate Warrington.