Addiction took me to miserable places as I spiralled out of control due to childhood trauma
“My journey through addiction has taken me and those affected through some really miserable places”
Ken Masterson is a shining example of how to face addiction head on and turn life around.
In his own words, the process of recovery and practising following the right habits can lead to a fulfilment and success.
It’s a message he is keen to get across to the people undergoing rehabitation from addiction at a newly-revived centre in St Annes.
After the original company running the centre at Pierpoint House in Clifton Drive North was declared insolvent last autumn, Ken worked with the landlord to get the centre up and running again and six months on it is poised to reopen.
The centre, one of two of similar size in the county under Lancashire County Council, deals with all forms of addiction and offers accommodation for 32, with day referrals also being looked into.
With a waiting list of around 100, demand for the services there is already set to be brisk Ken, who is facilities manager there, says there are plans for further development at the centre, including a dedicated section for Ketamine addiction.
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“I’m just glad we are ready to reopen and do what we can to help people,” said Ken. “Such a facility is so important.
“Addiction has taken me and those affected through some really miserable places - but through the process of recovery and practising following the right habits, it can lead to a fulfilling and successful life.
“My journey was borne out of fear of rejection and poor social environment and a father who was an alcoholic.
“My parents coped through that addiction and feelings were expressed very colourfully.
“I soon got to experimenting with alcohol and drugs to ‘fit in’ and to extinguish the bitter disappointment of how I felt about my life.
“It created a vicious circle and I became the author of my demise, proving my critics right all along and a lot of addiction comes from childhood trauma.
“I ducked out of school, afraid to ask for more money, with inflating bus fares and school dinners, and was to left with a choice of catch the bus and go with out lunch or walk to school, get in late, but have dinner.
“I soon realised that was effecting my grades and dropped from set 1 to 3 in a term, so gradually I stopped going to school altogether, and wasn't missed at all.
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“I spent my days experiencing with a variety of substances and then petty theft to ease the ever increasing disappointment I felt about my life.
“Everything spiralled out of control and I hid away becoming an ever-increasing embarrassment to my family and friends.
“I made a concerted effort to clean my act up around 16 and within six months I'd got fit, clean of drink and drugs and joined the Royal Navy.
“Not long after, I injured myself in training and was kicked out under a honourable discharge, went straight back into addiction even more than before and was in and out of it for years.
“But in the end, rehab certainly helped me - the first step is to admit you have a problem - and I’m proud of where I am now and by being involved at the centre.
“It started when I was given the opportunity by a friend to be a volunteer, helping others, and I’ve never looked back.
“I’m so grateful to David Searle of Grolar Developments Limited for getting the centre going as it is now and also to all others involved.
“It’s important we keep providing that help.”