"I started taking drugs when he was 15." "I started on cannabis, then went onto temazepam, and on to heroin."
"I thought I was a successful drug user as I was very well organised in the way I stole and cheated, even from my friends, to get the money to pay for drugs." " I could afford to use heroin and in my mind this gave me status as a drug user. I was top dog."  | Alan's son Stephen |
"To get money I did things like hanging round outside mental hospital to swop cigarettes for the medication of the patients coming out and I hunted deer with a lurcher."
But it was with his son Stephen that he was at his most desperate.
"We took drugs together, we argued over drugs
we were partners in getting and using drugs."
"We would move into a rented house and sell everything that could be moved. Then we'd strip out the boiler, the radiators, anything that had a value. Then we'd move to somewhere else."
Then Stephen overdosed in front of his father.  | We would move into a rented house and sell everything that could be moved....Then we'd move to somewhere else. |  | | Alan on how he funded his habit |
"He was black
I'd been using, and I was just screaming. I couldn't do anything." " My 15 year-old stepson had to give him the kiss of life."
Eventually there was nowhere else to run to. Disliked and distrusted Alan found himself getting older, and those friends the drugs hadn't killed drifted away from him, leaving him on the streets.
"No-one would take me in, they regarded me as the worst of the worst." ""I couldnt get anywhere to live, anywhere in the north east."
Eventually he collasped in the street. "I thought I was dead, and was disappointed when I discovered I wasn't, but that was the turning point."  | Ruth Garrett of ABS |
"I got help from a drugs clinic in Durham, which also found me somewhere to live." Its a step many addicts take, but Alan's transformation has been almost unique.
"I have been clean for two years and no longer drink or gamble."
"I have my own flat, cook and clean for myself, and I'm enjoying doing simple things, like paying bills for myself and I'm also studying to become a drugs mentor, working with other addicts."
Ruth Garrett of ABS, which helps people trying to stay off drugs in Midlesbrough said: "It's very unusual for someone to become completely free of both illegal and prescribed drugs. This makes Alan very valuable to us as a mentor."
But Alan still worries about his son Stephen. "He's not ready to give up the drugs. Perhaps he never will be. I love him to bits and want to help no-one more than I want to help him. But no-one can tell you to stop. You have to be ready." Your comments: Sharyn and Emma
Thanks for all your help with your quotes about finding work for the north east trewtament effectiveness conference 2006. FREETHEWAY
WELL DONE ALAN ALL AT FTW ARE SO PROUD OF YOU KEPT IT UP CANT WIAT TO SEE YOU GOOG LUCK FROM ALL XXXX Ellen Brown
Alan,have just been reading your comments in 'Treatment Journeys'and wanted to say I hope 2006 builds on your success so far and that you continue to go from strength to strength - you are an inspiration for workers and users alike and it was good knowing you when I was in M'bro. Happy New Year! emily hughes
well done alan im so proud of you everything you have said in this article is the thruth being your sister its hard to believe that Tony Lee
Hi Alan nice to meet you at the criminal justise conf in york it's guy's like you who bring hope to so many that are hopelessly addicted and a becon of light for them to follow.try to get some funding and take your story nation wide, like I said in York I'll keep you informed about conf's that are coming up but Alan you can do so much more than thatby meeting people and sharing your story. keep in touch mate and get an email address (computers aren't that hard to master, not after mastering drugs)then theres no one you cannot reach. All the best Tony Les Neal (Liverpool)
The world is a better place because of you. Heidi
That is quite a story Alan..It was good to meet you at the convention! Hope you will be able to make it to our meeting one day, and share your strength and hope.. your a shining star! X alan davies
I would like to say thankyou to Steven (ABS)
Alright Al - I said Id put a message on for you mate. Well done gadge! enjoy you coming in on tuesdays and fridays as we have a laugh and talk about the boro. Keep up the good work bud! ronnie headford
well done alan mate keep it up and they should be writing a book next mate it id be a wicked story ronnie kim walker (wee mans sister)
hi alan wee mans sister here i have read all about you must be the hardest thing ever to keep clean but you have done it after having being brought up with alchol abuse and drugs i no this has not been easy for you keep your head up shoulders back and stay strong love kim walker x lauren
well done alan 4 staying clean hope you stay clean 4 eva now luv lauren xx julie richardson
hello alan just want to say thank you for being a friend and an insperation to all who know you take care love julie Trish
Hi Alan, at last I have found your website, I just want you to know how very proud I am of you and what you have achieved, you are an inspiration to others, keep in touch. tyler
thank you for being a insperation to all drug users tring to get clean!!!! you are a very special person! keep up the good work. Melissa davies
Keep it up dad doing well anon
reading your story and listeng 2 your stuggle has touched my heart u nearly lost the most important thing in your life your son you then fought the emotional struggle and the struggle to get clean and you succeded your an inspiration to many people including your son if he is anything like you i belive he can become clean himself i wish u nothing but happiness in the futer and hope stephen can get clean dianne
hello mate! i dont no if you rememeber me but we net in glasgow very briefly!!!! you are a vision of hope and insperation to all trying to get clean of heroin!i was in orre ov you wen i met you!i couldnt believe you had been were you been!!! you are a lovely spiritual person!.....( good loking to )ha hope to c u in birmigham! keep smilling that lovely smille! haley kelly
Alan i'd just like to say keep up the good work.And you've just proved kicking heroin can be done. you've gave me hope. Thanks from ya pal Haley .x. Katie McLean (Girlfriend) Scotland
Hiya Sweetheart, Just wanted to say I am so proud of you, and I love you with wll my heart, You are an insperation Alan to all who read your story, You are a light shining through, You came back from the brink to achieve your goals, and one by one you are doing it. You never gave up hope, You were determind you were going to beat this and you did. I am so Glad we met and I thank you for the love you brought into my life. If you look up Hope in the dictonary, I bet it says Alan Davies beside it. I will alwayes be there for you Darling through the good and bad, happy and sad. Your smile lights up my life. We had such a great time in scotland when you came through, it brought us closer together. I believe in you Alan and I believe that what ever you put your mind to you will achieve. Your kids your mam, family and I all love you so keep up the good work. Alan you are one in a million.... The pride of the Borough. Love you Baby keep smiling. Love from your Wee Thistle xxxxxxxxxxx clinton corby
nice one mate my friend told me all about you and ghow well you are doing, ell done my nfriend in recovery.....i will see you in glasgow convention!!!!! take care because i carexxxx clinton daniel ahmed
well done dude, to see you pick up the pieces of your life and turn them into something so positive was a joy to be involved in. keep living the dream!!!!! margaret middlesbrogh
hello alan promised to look at your website.I am much impressed with what you have achieved.Keep up the good work. Believe in yourself and you will 'get there'See you at the next conference. amy cummings
Alan your fab. I really miss your jokes and cant wait to see you again. Hopefully you will see me in hays travel soon doin me modern apprenticeship! i can then book your holidays so you can meet your blonde tarts!!!!luv ya lots xxxxxxxxx abbie durham daat
Alan will make a fab peer and gives a great example of how you can find the courage to face up to yourself and your addiction and turn your life around.Its no easy thing for anyone but Alan has proved it can be done and has earned and deserves an incredible amount of respect from other users, professionals alike! weeman fae corby
having a pal like allen meens more to me than anything, because wen my mother died and my head was all over the place allen u was there to help keep me clean and not turn back to heroin, and 4 that i owe u my live. thank u 4 being a friend.ps we should never 4get the ever supported mother and gran god bless stevie walker Jess Puvirajah
Alan, thanks so much for sharing your story with me. I'm still astounded by how much you are doing to help other people. You've set an example that's been difficult to follow and has taken a lot of guts, but you're reaping the benefits and helping other addicts gain from it too. What impresses me the most is the extent to which you've turned your whole life around, after so many years, and how you continue to want to make more achievements. I wish you all the best for the future, but I know you'll do well. Lisa M
Alan, you carry a wonderful message of hope and faith and carrying the message is all that is required. You are an inspiration to myself and it is great to know how many other people you will help. I wish we had someone like you in my area. Keep in touch. All my love, one day at a time Lisa Cole Mental Health Matters
Alan we met you when you were just beginning your road to recovery, we instantly liked you and admired your determination for getting yourself well. Now we are so proud of your progress and all the things you have achieved. We are so glad that we have had the oppertunity to work with you. From everyone at The Grange I would like to say well done and keep being an inspiration to us all. Gareth Smith
Well done Alan
great to see you getting well and what a great inspiration to others in recovery. Thank you for all the words of kindness and support in my recovery. Cheers mate. dannii
i dont know you but congratulations i never realised how bad drug addicts could get and once you start i thought you couldnt stop you have helped me to persuade my friend who is sat here reading what happened and it has made him want to stop keep up the good work your and inspiration x Val Devlin
Well done alan it gives other people hope to hear there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you can recover from addiction. Keep up the good work you are a shining example for others Audrey Cummings
Hi Alan, Your family must be so proud of you Alan as i know i am to be your friend.You have come such a long way Alan.Keep up the good work and best of luck for the future! Luv Aud's X Kay Duffie
Hi Alan just wanted you to know that meeting you gives me hope for my own son and his addiction. I can see that people can recover and live life again. I enjoy our chats you should be proud of yourself for your achivements. Ronnie Headford
My name is Ronnie Headford. I am 20yrs old and an ex-heroin addict. I started on softer drugs when i was 11 and soon progressed into crime and injecting speed. When i was 16, i started on heroin, i've been in prison 7 times. I have had lots of groupworking and probation officers. One year ago, i never thought i'd be where i am today. My life Changed when i met Alan Davies. Out of all the people, my dad, group workers and everyone who tried to help me, there is only one person who succeeded and that is my best mate Alan. I don't Know how he made me change; I think he's a really special person and i can't thank him enough. He helped me to build bridges with my Mother, who i hadn't seen for 8 or 9 years. I now live with my mam and have been clear for nearly a year, but i know if i hadn't met Alan i would have been dead or in prison. Out of all the addicts i have known, Alan deserves to succeed in life. He has a heart of gold and he knows drugs better than drugs know themselves. Personally, i think Alan could help a lot of people. I will always regard him as one of my closest of friends. Alan, i want to thank you for everything. One day, i hope you will get where you want to be. Cheers mate, Ronnie melissa davies (daughter)
dad im so prowd of you for doing what you have done you used to say ill do it but i always thourt to myself he wont hes to bad i used to pray to god for him to get better but he dident and when you used to come yo me for help and i couldent help you i used to cry to myself for you to get better and finally you did and im really prowd of you dad now your a mentor and everything that your doing for other people is great keep it up dad. Kerry ABS Middlesbrough
well done Alan we are all so proud of you. and thanks for all you do for others. shauna
just like to say well done alan being a addict myself i no how hard it is to stay clean but reading your story and also seeing the pitcuers of you and son have helped me much more then the normal people the lucky or should i say wise who dont have a habbit could ever imagne but you will to others it wont sound like no great achivment but i think you would say well done and really mean it you see ive been clean now for 5 days i no its only a short while but to me its an eternity thanks alan for story there should be more people in coucling who no the score it would help the user also save the nhs afew quid because you will yourself pulled all the blags to get alittle bit to sort you till you felt abit better to go doing a bit of graft so you could go get your score go for it alan although most of us would say we could nt stand you the day you refused us a little sorter if any one of us kicked the shit we would owe our lifes to you so we would hate for one day but thank you and remmber you for the rest of our lifes when i use the terms we and us i no iam only 1 person but like youll no not the only one with a habbit in need of a freind god bless you mona whyte
although i dont like to admit it many times during the years of pain watching my only son slowly killing himself often i would ask myself is there really a god above if yes then what had done so bad in my life that i could do nothing but stand by and watch my son whom i give life to lose everything he loved and each day losing himself so not only was he phsically diferent but he was no longer the alan i had sept 15 62 he was just an empty shell behind his eyes there was no soul well even though i often wanted to just go to bed and never wake up again something kept me going and even when my first and only grandson started using i kept figthing the hardest battle that i pray that any mother grandmother should ever have to go through well as he says himself he did come through it and never again will i wonder is there a god because that has been proved to me many times over as it is not possible with just a mothers love to fight all the evilness that comes with drugs it was the love and the goodness that only comes from above that saved my son and made him the person he is today whom i can proudly say my son and so today i still worry as much as ever i belive my grandson will come through it and stand with his father helping others because out of all the badness hopefully if it helped one person then i belive we all sufferd was worth it and to save or help any one going through the misery what we sufferd DASH team
Keep going mate, you're an example to everybody. p.s. Don't nick any more fireplaces Katie (London)
Alan just wanted to write and say thank you for telling your story. You are an inspiration to so many people. It was great meeting you at the convention and I truly appreciate the support, encouragement and friendship you have given me. You are a very special person. stevie walker
big up the alan davies.... its been great knowing you mate; first met you 2 years ago at a meeting and you have been an insperation and a friend god bless you mate from the corby one ha ha Kim (kidderminster)
Alan it was a real pleasure meeting you at leeds, you really have given me more hope today you are an inspiration that there is a way out of active addiction. I am so happy that you are my friend in life today im proud to know you, and i am looking forward to coming up north in the new year! big hugs loads of love your friend with the funny accent hehe : ) Dave and Polly
Alan we are proud to be a friend of yours today, we've only known you since you found recovery but all the same you are an inspiration to us both. You are a true reflection of recovery and help me to see whats good in life today inspite of the past active addiction. Good bless, we love you loads. kelly thurlwell
well done alan i knew you when you were on drugs and knowing the background you came from my dad has often told me that you were one of the last people he thought would ever take drugs it was a shame to see some one who had so much goin for himself go down as rapidly as you did watching you come through this has made us younger people of your home town that drug taking is just not worth it and those that are already taking drugs relise that there is a way out it can be done if you can stop using after so many of us thought you would die then any one can meg davies
well done alan im so proud of you everything you have said in this article is the truth being your sister its hard to believe that you have really done it after all you went through here you have only told a small portion of the pain and hurt you suffered,as the rest of the family did watching you. but i believe if we have faith in stephen like we did you he will come through this and hopefully be as well as you are today. | 
