My name is Daniel Woodburn.
I spent 21 years in and out of addiction. In that time, I lost my identity, my family, my dignity, and all my morals that I once had. I turned into a person that I hated and despised.
My addiction caused me to push everyone that I loved in my life away and my loved ones couldn’t handle seeing me slowly killing myself and falling deeper into addiction becoming a totally different person that my family couldn’t recognize anymore. Being in addiction had changed me that much from the loving, caring, thoughtful teenager to the alcoholic, drug addict that didn’t care about anyone’s feelings whether that was my own family, civil servants or shop owners, as long as I got my next drink of alcohol or my next drug inside me.
I just didn’t seem to care at the time, I was also violent to others in my community whether that was to members of the public, civil servants, or the police when under the influence of alcohol and drugs. I was in out of prison countless times, whilst also being stuck in a prison in my own mind and body in addiction. I tried countless detoxes, was sectioned in mental health units and was a total menace and drain on society as a whole.
I came into The Well Communities a broken man. I was emotionally, mentally, and physically damaged because of being in addiction that long and unable to live and conform to society’s rules in the community.
When in addiction I was stuck with no hope for my future until I got an opportunity to start the Dahab Behavioural Change Program via The Well Communities and I was so grateful for the opportunity as I didn’t have anywhere else to turn to for help and guidance. I started the Dahab program In February 2024 as a resident and completed the program In November 2024. I then began the Volunteer Pathway also via The Well Communities, taking groups until I applied for a job with them. I went for the interview and was successful and I’ve had the privilege to help and support other people in addiction on their road to recovery, and I’ve been working for The Well Communities ever since.
The Well Communities for me was like an ambulance, the program and the key workers were the paramedics helping me heal mind, body and soul. It has given me an understanding of what I suffer from enabling and empowering me to live clean and sober in the community by learning and giving me the tools to become a respectable and productive member of society. There have been many other lives that have been affected in a positive way. as today I am being a son to my mother and a big brother to my siblings.
My family are so happy and can sleep easy on a night now without having to worry anymore. The Well Communities has given me the tools and empowered me to live clean and sober in the community and in turn given my family their loved one back.