Sunday Mirror

CLEAN AND GIVING HELP

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I’VE been clean for six years now. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Now, I’m managing my guilt. The guilt of trashing relationsh­ips and the way I’d treated everyone who cared for me.

My wife Emma is a psychother­apist and for three

years I was her guinea pig. I can’t explain in words my gratitude for what she’s done.

The turning point for me was when I went to a 12-step meeting. I raised my hand and said I was an addict – and that lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.

Since then, I’ve tried to rebuild my life. I’m clean, free and happy.

In fact, now I’m trying to use my experience­s to help others.

There are so many addictions out there.

It’s not just drugs and alcohol. Gambling, pornograph­y - it’s amongst us. Seventy-five per cent of addicts are in full-time employment.

I’m a ‘trauma-informed

practition­er’ now. I go into schools where there are kids who are really struggling academical­ly and socially.

I’m qualified for them to speak to me about certain things. I’m not a counsellor yet.

I can’t rescue these kids but I’m going to be there for them.

I’m doing a course in

counsellin­g teenagers. That’s my path. I’ve also mentored one footballer who was struggling. I’d love to be involved with players and clubs.

Given what I’ve been through, I believe I’ve got a lot to offer.

■■Paul Tait is donating a fee for this article to Changes UK, a charity aimed at helping people find hope through recovery www. changesuk.org

 ?? ?? OUR MAN
Neil Moxley speaks to Paul Tait
OUR MAN Neil Moxley speaks to Paul Tait

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