Case Study
Overcoming addiction: Robert’s story

Overcoming addiction: Robert’s story

The first step towards finding support for addiction is reaching out for a confidential chat. Get in touch with a member of the Alabaré team for support.

Battling addiction can affect everyday tasks.

Robert is 57 and grew up living with his mum and three siblings in Birkenhead. He describes it as a tough place to grow up.

He experienced being caned at school, and at home, he was subjected to violent beatings at the hands of his stepfather. At the age of 17, Robert started using heroin and rock cocaine to block out some of the dark things that were happening in his life.

The impact of addiction

Robert spent the majority of his adult life struggling with addiction to drugs. Despite multiple attempts to break free, he says that while medical help allowed him to stop physically using the drugs, he couldn’t find the support he needed to process the emotional pain he was trying to escape. As a result, he always fell back into addiction. Living in a world dominated by criminals and a dangerous gun culture, Robert was left for dead more than once, enduring severe injuries and beatings from gang members.

Over the years, Robert built a family with four daughters and later, grandchildren. However, his addiction left a deep scar on his relationships. His family expressed anger and hurt over the lies he told to feed his addiction. Eventually, Robert ended up sofa surfing, lost and disconnected from his family, until one morning in March 2022 when he decided he wanted to make a change.

Finding peace and hope

It was a turning point for Robert. He made the decision to take control of his life and escape addiction once and for all. He boarded a train to Weston-Super-Mare, a place he had visited years before and felt an unexpected pull to return to. Robert believes that if he hadn’t caught that train, he might never have found the strength to change his life.

Upon arriving in Weston-Super-Mare, Robert immediately felt a sense of calm and relief. The sea air and the warmth of the local community gave him hope, despite having nowhere to stay. He slept rough for two and a half weeks on the steps of the Gospel Hall and visited a local service for food and advice. It was here that he learned about a nearby wet house offering the support he so desperately needed to overcome his addiction.

Overcoming addiction

The very next day, Robert was introduced to Tina and Nita, who guided him to the Alabaré North Somerset home. That afternoon, he received the life-changing call that he had been accepted and could move in the following day.

Though his journey has been far from easy, Robert is now on the path to recovery. He is slowly coming off the heroin and cocaine that once ruled his life, but the process has been physically painful. Despite these challenges, he credits the Alabaré team for their unwavering support in helping him through the difficult process of detoxification and emotional healing. Robert has already reduced his methadone prescription and only uses it a couple of times a month. His determination to overcome his addiction and stay clean this time is stronger than ever.

A future free from drug abuse

Today, Robert is focused on building a new life. He hopes to soon secure a part-time job to stay busy and continue his journey toward recovery. His relationship with his daughters and grandchildren has improved, and they are thrilled to see him turning his life around. Robert is deeply grateful for the second chance he’s been given.

Robert says, “I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to change my life. The support I’ve received has been incredible, and I’m determined not to fall back into my old life. For the first time, I can look forward to the future.”