Scott's problematic drug use began when, at just 13 years old, he started to

inhale gas. This quickly escalated and by the time he was 15 he was using cannabis, LSD

and ecstasy. After leaving school without qualifications, Scott had a few jobs, working in

factories and as a labourer, but by the time he was in his 20s he was using crack and

heroin on a regular basis. He became anxious, insecure and paranoid, thinking that

people were looking at him and wanted to rob him. His drug abuse had a massively

destructive impact, not only on his family and relationships, but on his physical and

mental health. Eventually, it led to a diagnosis of psychosis.

 

Scott was conscious that this was not the way he wanted to live his life, but with so many

years of drug use behind him, making changes wasn’t easy. He made many efforts to get

himself off drugs, but he was continually targeted by drug dealers and found it difficult to

get away from his old lifestyle. To make a fresh start, Scott realised he would need to

leave Birmingham, so he researched other options and, after a six month wait, was

accepted into a rehabilitation unit in Wirral. And it worked… for a while. After being drug-

free for eight weeks, Scott started drinking alcohol. Unfortunately, he was involved in an

altercation and was asked to leave the programme. He returned to the Midlands – and his

old ways.

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