Former addict speaks of 'beautiful' journey in getting life back

Following a traumatic incident during his childhood, Mike Price fell into a cycle of addiction that started with alcohol and cannabis and progressed into heavier substances such as cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin.

After years of addiction troubles, mental health problems, life on the streets, and multiple relapses, Mike said that it was getting to the point where it was "either suicide or sort myself out".

READ > Concerning rise in crime 'not normal' for quiet village, say councillors

Mike said he has been ten months clean from drugs (Image: Mike Price)
Mike spoke with the Star about his recovery journey in 2021, but admitted that he relapsed and fell into another period of addiction following this.

However, after ten months of getting clean, the dad-of-one shared his story on social media to help anyone struggling with addiction problems and show that he is not ashamed of his recovery journey.

After being clean for "nobody else but [him]self" this time around, Mike said that he is in the best place he has been in for years.

Mike said he has reconnected with his son and formed a new relationship with a partner (Image: Mike Price)
Speaking to the Star, Mike, from Eccleston, said: "I've relapsed on and off for years, but it got to the point where it was either suicide or sorting myself out.

"I've been training every day for the past ten months or so, and it's done so much for my mental health.

"The other times I've tried to get clean has been for other people, like my mum or son, but this time I'm doing it for me and I feel in a really good place.

"I don't think the temptation [in addiction] will ever go away, but it's just about remembering where I've been and how far I've come."

Mike said that his daily gym routine has been a huge help for his mental health (Image: Mike Price)
After receiving support from local services such as Change Grow Live, reconnecting with his son, and forming a relationship with a new partner, Mike said that life "couldn't be any better" at the moment.

He also is hoping to start training to become a qualified tattoo artist and will soon be driving a car he "never in a million years" thought that he would own. 

Adding that it is a "beautiful" thing to be feeling like himself again, Mike said he has been blown away by the support he has received from his social media post.

He also said that he has received messages from people in similar positions to himself who are looking for ways to break the cycle of addiction, and hopes to help anyone he can.

Mike has shared his story in the hope to help others in similar situations (Image: Mike Price)
Hoping to let people know there is "light at the end of the tunnel", he added: "I have caused a lot of damage to friends and family, and it's still hard for me to deal with certain things but I have to remain strong and keep fighting for a better life for us all.

"[I want to] build the bridges I annihilated with a nuke and slowly put the pieces back together.

"It's not going to happen overnight but it's happening and that's the main thing. They say consistency is key, and they are right in all aspects of life not just my situation."