VIDEO: How former addict beat drugs

The Bognor Regis resident was an alcoholic, heroin and crack cocaine addict until three years ago.

But Carl (36) is now a qualified volunteer addictions worker with the West Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team family and friends network.

He is willing to help addicts who want to make a new start after they found temptation at Christmas too much to ignore.

It could have been excessive alcohol at home or perhaps presents lying around which could be turned into cash to fund habits.

Such behaviour is behind Carl as a podcast on West Sussex County Council's website reveals. His story begins in Northern Ireland, where his mother '“ married to an alcoholic '“ was murdered during the troubles.

Carl was just eight years old when he first got drunk. Four years later he moved to England where a boy introduced him to heroin.

Crack cocaine was to follow and Carl turned to shoplifting to fund his habits. His arms started to look like pin cushions as he became a gaunt and haggard rough sleeper.

"Now I look back, I think I was dead, only they forgot to tell me," he recalled. "I can understand why people are nervous about those who sleep rough, because of the way they look. They mean no harm, they just want money."

His criminal career, which Carl called his 'day job', meant a police record. However, it was one night near the end of what turned out to be his final prison sentence that his life was to change.

"My pastor said it was God who talked to me in my cell that night," he said. "From then on, I knew I had to turn my life around and help people."

The podcast interview tells how Carl now devotes his life to working for others with addiction problems and has vowed never to return to the drugs and alcohol which nearly killed him.

His story impressed county councillor John de Mierre, who is in charge of adult services in West Sussex.

He said: "Carl is a very courageous and determined man to beat his addictions against all the odds. It shows how you can overcome problems if you're determined enough. I hope those listening to his story will take hope lives really can change."

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