Will describes an innate sense of anxiety which has troubled him since early childhood. He recalls feeling so inhibited that he was unable to express himself fully. He talks about wanting to play, but not being able to let go and be himself. He feared rejection.

Life in military boarding schools instilled a sense of discipline in Will, but eventually he rebelled against the same. He lacked the social skills that come naturally to others and describes not knowing how to be.

Will’s substance abuse began with alcohol but soon encompassed heroin and cocaine use. He describes using “socially” at weekends, believing he could control his habit, before succumbing to full-blown addiction within a year.

Shoplifting, temporary jobs and manipulation all helped to fund Will’s habit. For some time he worked as a Big Issue seller, exploiting his natural ebullience and the vulnerabilities of his customers to get by.

Will talks about the practicalities of using, the gritty reality of neglected hygiene and unsafe injecting. He describes the sense of loss he felt when his brother (his long-time using companion) finally got clean.

The turning point for Will came when he secured a place on a treatment programme at Jericho House in Derby. There Will learned about his condition and developed the skills necessary to stay clean and live a healthy, happy, productive life.

Will now works in the mental health field helping others. He is a valued son, brother, uncle, friend and boyfriend.
The team would like to thank Will for this beautiful, emotive interview, which we know you will find as inspiring as we did.

Jericho House Drug Treatment Programme Project Derby
Jericho's contact details. Self referral. Males only, on drugs (not alcohol) 🙏🏻

[email protected]

01332 757 737