My name is Mark, and I’m 47 years old. I’m currently living in a house that I managed to secure on my own. Along the way, I met Tom, who has been a tremendous help in guiding me toward a new direction in life and bringing much-needed structure back into my daily routine. I actively engage with various services, including counselling and mental health awareness programmes, to ensure that my mind stays focused, motivated, and proactive.
Music plays a significant role in my life. I enjoy all kinds of music, but reggae holds a special place for me. It helps me relax, meditate, and clear my head from worries. I used to be a chronic worrier, which was closely tied to my past struggles with drug use. Since getting clean, I’ve had to find new ways to fill the void left by drugs, which is why I make it a point to participate in all the services and groups available to me.
My home environment is another crucial part of my recovery. It’s a clean, quiet, and calm place where the people around me are peaceful, and there’s no conflict. Although it’s not my forever home, it provides me with a safe space to store my belongings and a sense of security, which are the most important things for me right now.
Every day, I focus on three principles: health, home, and happiness. These are the things I meditate on when I wake up—how healthy I feel, how happy my mind is, and how my home feels. I believe in the saying, “Tidy home, tidy mind,” and I practise mindfulness by avoiding situations that could lead to trouble. I don’t judge others, but I’m mindful of the fact that when you stop using drugs, you need to fill that void with something positive. For instance, if I sense that a situation might turn bad, I’ll avoid it. I might take a different route, go on a bus journey to another town, or take a countryside walk. I particularly enjoy riverside and countryside walks, and I’ve also completed a health and wellbeing course to support my journey.
One of my goals is to heal my leg so I can return to work. I used to work in construction, but I haven’t been able to work for about five years due to a severe ankle injury. Although it’s much better now, it’s still not fully healed. I’m committed to leading a healthier lifestyle so that I can get back to 100% and resume my career.
Another passion of mine is raising awareness among young people. They face so many dangers today, like knife crime and street violence, and I feel it’s important to educate them about these risks. I also work to raise awareness about the drugs that are out there—drugs that many young people don’t fully understand, which are more dangerous than ever and lead to more deaths. I’ve completed several courses in drug awareness, alcohol awareness, and substance misuse at levels 1, 2, and 3. Armed with this knowledge, I’m eager to help others by warning them of the dangers they might not see.
We all have our struggles, and I’m still on a prescription related to my past drug use, but I’m determined to keep moving forward. It’s easy to slip back, especially when you’re homeless, but I’m committed to not getting stuck in the past. The place I’m living now helps me pass the time constructively. I still engage with the support services by phone, but I don’t need to go down there as much as I used to, which is a positive sign. It means I’m dealing with fewer problems than before. The calm environment here allows me to build a safe social network, both online and in person, and to explore new activities that add value to my life. There’s so much more to life, and I’m embracing every opportunity to make the most of it.
