A RECOVERING addict and ex-offender has pledged to help others for the rest of his life after undergoing a life-changing experience.

Alex Brewis is drawing on the lessons of his past to help and support others at the Durham Recovery and Wellbeing Centre.

The centre, managed by NECA, is designed for people who are abstinent from alcohol and who receive a referral by Community Alcohol Services to access its aftercare and support. It provides a range of services supporting members who are aiming for a life of long-term abstinence, helping them to become part of the community.

Alex has been in and out of Durham Prison for 16 years as a result of alcohol-related crimes, including theft and violence.

“The last time I was in prison it was my 30th birthday.

This was a turning point for me,” said Alex, who is from Durham. “I was feeling really fed up and realised I’d had enough of living like that. It just wasn’t for me anymore.

A big part of my growing up was spent inside and I wanted this to stop.

“Over the years I had been asked a few times to go on to the Alcohol Rolling Programme to help with the effects alcohol was having on my life, but I was never interested.

“This time felt different and I decided to give it a go.”

On the programme Alex looked at a host of areas including problem solving, coping with the future, dealing with others, health, motivation and making changes.

These allowed him to address behaviour linked to alcohol misuse and make any changes that were needed.

When he was released from Durham Prison in April this year the first place Alex visited was the Durham Recovery and Wellbeing Centre.

“At first I used the centre for my own recovery, but I soon got involved in helping wherever I could,” said Alex.

“The centre really has changed my life. It’s opened up a lot of new pathways to me. I’ve been on lots of courses and am currently doing a diploma in adult social care.

Hopefully this will lead to a job in alcohol recovery services.

“I have also brought people to the centre. It’s an amazing place and there’s so much support available here. I want people to see it really can be done – you can turn your life around.

“It’s made me a better person and I have slipped easily into the role of helping others.

If I had realised stopping drinking would make me so happy I would have done it ages ago.”

Alex recently went back into Durham Prison, but this time to deliver the Alcohol Rolling Programme and offer other support and guidance using his own life experiences.

“I was one of the first ex-offenders to revisit the prison to help convicts get off the drink through the Alcohol Rolling Programme,” said Alex. “I can really bond with them because I have been there and I know what it’s like. Also, because of my background, I can have a real impact on them because they can see for themselves how I have completely changed my life.

“I used to hate prison officers but I get on so well with them now and they fully support the work I am doing.

“If I can put as much effort into helping others as I did into crime and drink I know I can do amazing things with my life.”

For further information on the Durham Recovery and Wellbeing Centre call 0191 3839490.