Francis’ career in addiction rehab is backed with 40 years’ experience on both sides of the fence, having lived experience of both addiction and recovery. This makes him best placed to help others who are looking to achieve long-term recovery.
With personal experience of cocaine addiction that started back in the 1980s, Francis, after years of self-delusion, finally sought the help that he needed to turn his life around. He is now using that experience to help others.
He says: “My personal experience in the 12 step programme field is proving to be a Godsend over and over. The best things in my life right now come from helping others, period.”
With vast experience working with problematic, demanding and entitled high net worth clients he is able to make headway with a range of clients from different backgrounds and get down to causes and effects.
“My road to recovery was not an easy one, full of ups and downs, however I’m now into my 13th year of abstinence, life is full once again, I enjoy myself more than before and I’m blessed to be in a position to help others.
“Good meaning professionals tried to help me, they had many letters after their name, however no real lived experience of what it means to be an alcoholic or addict. They did not understand, period.
“Yet, the therapeutic value of one alcoholic addict talking to another addict has no equal. We know the pain, the internal torcher, the self-defeating dialogue. Our centre for recovery is staffed by recovering alcoholics and addicts. We know, we understand and most importantly we really care.”
Regarding his own personal story with addiction and how he came to seek help, he says: “Coming of age, living in Liverpool in the late 80’s, the drug scene exploded with the proliferation of heroin. I could see the devastating effects it was having on my friends and family.
“I hot-tailed it to London where I was soon to meet the most long lasting relationship of my life, Lady Cocaine. She turned a duck into an eagle, I could do, say and be who I only dreamed of. The change internally was profound. I was later on to understand this is one part of a threefold mental illness I developed.
“I set up businesses, got married, was winning at the game of life, and drink and drugs were taking a much more prominent role in my life. I got rid of people who mentioned I may have a problem, to me they were killjoys, boring fools.
“As years passed things got worse, sweet relationships were dead, my circle of friends dwindled to but a few. I’m isolating at home, self-care out of the window, and like a lobster slowly being boiled, I was dying from addiction.
“My rock bottom was internal, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired of my own stench, I was totally disgusted with myself. Then I tried to STOP, and found I could not, that floored me. My pride kept me in delusion for many years.”
Now putting his 13 years of recovery experience to good use, Francis has extensive knowledge working with those using the 12-step recovery programme. He has worked in the alcohol and drug field, and also specialises in gambling and gaming addiction. Through constant sponsorship, sharing at meetings, conventions and workshops, he has amassed a vast body of knowledge to pass onto guests seeking a way out of their cycle of despair, fear and harm.
As co-founder of Marbella-based Innerliferecovery.com, Francis is now a Lead Addiction therapist able to provide solutions and intensive one-to-one therapies for a range of addicts, including chronic relapsers and 'burnt out' 12 steppers in the field.
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