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Testimonials

John P

My name is John Paul McDonnell and I am 39 years old. I have a wife and two daughters. For the most part of my life, I had never really entertained drugs but then I lost my brother, Peter. I was very close to him he went missing for months. He was found dead by walkers tucked away in a cave. His body was in a very bad way as he had been there for a while and the elements and animals had got to him. Not long after this I was diagnosed with PTSD. This, I feel, was the point when I started using cocaine. The ‘beast’ kept at me after this and it only got worse. I tried going to other groups such as AA, CA etc but I just never felt like they understood what was happening to me, I just never connected. I never spoke in any of the meetings and I just went along with what was being said but I could never really put in 100% into the programme. I didn’t feel my situation was catered for so couldn’t really talk or connect. My story is long and I have done things I am not proud of but that I why...

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Caroline

My name is Caroline, and I am the wife of a recovering cocaine addict. I am writing this in support of the Break Free team. I met John when I was 14. Throughout our young adult life, we were in the clubbing scene up until we were 27 when we had our first child and that side of our life slowed down. John has always been in what I called ‘those circles.’ Where cocaine abuse was the norm. John had always said he had never taken cocaine and I believed him. For the last 6 years my husband has suffered with depression, anxiety and PTSD. His brother went missing and was found in a cave and had been there a while. John and I found out on the news that a man had been found and we called the police and were asked to identify clothes which were his. From this point I took the reins and when I look back, I realise it was then that John started to spiral. John was physically and emotionally abused as a child. He was also bullied in school until he stood up to them. In 2017 John had a tonic-clonic...

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Keith D

I’m Keith Dittman’s son Drewm and I would just like to write to you about how much of a change I have seen in my dad. He has been through some tough times, he lost his job after 17 years and starting using around then I believe. After years of addiction and losing other jobs he finally told me about his addiction and using and told me he was giving it up. He struggled a lot but eventually beat his addiction. Other stresses in his life have led him to start using alcohol a lot more but after he has been going to these sessions I’ve noticed a really good positive change in him, and I don’t think he has drank for a few weeks, so thank you, it’s really important what your organisation does for people!

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Anon

So I watched Lee's videos and related so much to everything he was saying. Arguing with myself drink don’t drink use don’t use it was not me it was my addiction the beast and me arguing with each other in my own head crazy right. To any one who has never had an addiction, yes this sounds crazy, me and people like me know this is not crazy this is what happens. So I was In a world my world where I thought I was unworthy of any ones love time effort or guidance from any other human but thought give it a go and see if this man can help me or if he is willing to try and typed out a message explaining everything that was happening. Within a few minutes I got a message back from Marcus (my hero my life saver) he asked for my number so we could speak. We did this over voice notes on WhatsApp. This guy said to me we can sort this and for once in my life this human wanted to actually help and that he did. From that day I met with Marcus we spoke about how I had got to this point and when this...

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Ian

I have had problems with alcohol abuse for over 20 years. Last year in the summer of 2020 I hit rock bottom. My mental health was worse than ever and I was depressed and suicidal. I managed to stop drinking in the October and have been in and out of different support services including AA. I found the services I used difficult to understand especially AA. I couldn't get my head around the fact I had a disease that I had to carry around with me for the rest of my life. I managed to get 6 months of sobriety under my belt but was still extremely depressed unhappy and was having suicidal and intrusive thoughts on a daily basis. I saw a Facebook video online and followed it. I resonated with everything that was said and realised that it was my addiction that was dragging me down and wouldn't let me move on with my life. The level of understanding and support provided wasn't like anything I have ever encountered before. Literally within a few days of applying the technique of AVA I was...

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Anon

Before I got in touch with Marcus my life was literally falling apart around me because of my cocaine addiction. My girlfriend had kicked me out and our relationship was on the verge of ending. My family were all worried about me and my business was failing. My girlfriend gave me the ultimatum to get help or we were finished. So I reached out to Marcus!  He got back to me within minutes and invited me on a walk and talk. That first walk and talk has changed my life forever! The knowledge and support Marcus offered me and still continues to offer me is truly life saving!  Since day 1 I've applied all the tools and techniques he has taught me and the result is I haven't touched cocaine or any drug or drink for nearly 8 weeks now. I never will AGAIN! Marcus Lee and Wal have saved my LIFE. RELATIONSHIP and my BUSINESS! These guys are the real HEROES!

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Kerry

I started using drink and drugs, i suffered a lot of trauma as a child and couldn't deal with it as I got older. Over many years my life became out of control the drink and drugs got a hold of me. Before i new it i couldn't stop. I decided enough was enough when tried to commit suicide I just couldn't continue living this chaotic lifestyle living in pain, I was at rock bottom an my two beautiful children nearly lost their mummy. I accessed many drug and alcohol services an centres over the years but nothing seem to be working. I still continued to use and if am honest,  worse than ever, things was out of control. As a result of my recklessness I came close to death on many occasions after drinking and using for days on end. I came across a group on Facebook offering support and advice on drinking drugs mental health etc an ask if anyone needed help to reach out to them. I sat back at first watching the videos they were uploading and I could relate so much. So I decided to message the...

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Anon

Since the age of 16 I have used cocaine and alcohol it has caused me so much pain and misery. My mental health deteriorated into being diagnosed with psychosis. I went to cocaine anonymous but the help the where offering me never worked. They go off the disease concept and handing myself over to a higher power which didn’t work for me. I finally messaged Marcus who was offering a totally new concept called AVA (Addictive Voice Awareness). It is amazing the help and support from Marcus and Lee is unbelievable, they always check in on me via text and WhatsApp group. They taught me how to recognise my addictive voice and put it to bed quickly without relapsing. I have been off drugs and alcohol for the longest in my entire life and I thank them so much. The meetings they do on Wednesdays, boxing classes on Mondays and walk and talks round Croxteth park on a Saturday are so amazing. They help so much .

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Jamie S

For the best part 20 years, I have suffered from numerous addictions, drugs, alcohol, gambling the list can go on. The outcome of my using came to anxiety, depression, letting love ones down, destroying my health and suicidal thoughts which at one point I was close too … I try numerous times to stop drinking and using but I always fell back into my old habits then the misery would get worse and worse. Now in just a short time, my life is unbelievable and my future is looking brighter than ever all through meeting my good friend Marcus who has shown me the technique on how to give up for good. I can’t say enough what Marcus and our group have done for me and my family and also the many other souls that have reached out too. Many lives have been saved.

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Kerry W

I am currently being mentored by Marcus Nicholas Wal and Lee Butler , they have introduced me to the AVRT method which is a practical approach to beating addiction and working with mental Health issues , such as anxiety and depression.Since my first group meeting that I have attended I have remained drug and alcohol free , I am now 7 weeks clean and sober and can honestly say with the knowledge that I have been given and the constant support I receive I will remain abstinent for the rest of my life.Not only have the group sessions been beneficial to me but also the 24/7 support , group walks and fitness class have played a massive part in my recovery.I have used drugs and alcohol for 17 years and not been able to achieve a significant amount of “clean” time , but since becoming part of this group and finally being able to understand the neurological aspect of addiction I have now been able to confront it head on and finally feel like I have my life back.In the past I have tried...

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Anon

So I’ll just give you a little insight as to what my journey as a drink and cocaine user did to me. It all started back in 2001, I was 15 drinking at house parties with the older people from my area it was the norm back then. Had my first line and E then and felt fucking great. From then on all I wanted to do was drink and use because it put me on a level that I’d never been before, it was so powerful.. so that continued for a couple of years. I got banned for drink driving at 17 before I even got my licence 12 months what a blow that was. So I thought you need to reign it in a bit because you’ll end up with nothing in life. I went away to work but carried on drinking and using. In 2007 I eventually bought my first house when I was 21 with help from my dad. Met my first borns mum in 2008 and she fell pregnant straight away I was buzzing I’m gonna be a dad. Still didn’t stop me though! I actually missed that birth because I was round the bend. I promised her things would change! Did...

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David M

When I was 17 one of my brothers was brutally murdered which changed my life forever. I turned to using drugs and alcohol without a care for any consequences whatsoever. I guess I didn’t care at all about life. I was in and out of work till I was 25.   I then joined the Royal Navy Submarine Service, however I never truly dealt with any of my problems.  I replaced cannabis with more alcohol which turned me into a highly functioning alcoholic, however I still had my love for cocaine. This caught up with me 10 years down the line costing me my job in the navy through a drugs test. I was discharged on 30th September 2018, after 10 years of service.  Since then my life truly spiralled out of control, I reached out to a service called Ambitions, however there service was extremely insuffice, and also reached out to addictions but was turned away due to my postcode.  I kept using to the point of suicide  Then I reached out to Break Free  They took me in to there programme and believe me...

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Peter

4 months ago I was at breaking point, suicidal and didn’t think I had any way out of my battles with addiction. Reached out to the amazing people at @breakfree131. With the help and guidance and knowledge that these guys have, I am now free from my addiction and can’t thank everyone involved enough.

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Liam M

I reached out to Break Free a broken man, I couldn't understand why I was stuck in the cycle of drinking and using when I knew I hated what I was doing and all the hurt and chaos I was causing. I thought that was my life. But through this program and learning about AVA and with the support of Marcus, Lee and Wal and the whole of the group I have got my life back. I cannot thank them enough. I was asked had I had enough and I had truly had enough and willing to do anything. All I was asked to give a 100% commitment and to trust the process and and Marcus, Lee and Wal have matched my commitment with 100% commitment in me! This program works and am proud to be a part of the break free family because that is what it feels like to me a family. The rewards I am getting health, wealth, trust and relationships to name a few in such a short space are time are amazing not just for me but for my family and loved ones. If you have really have had enough and willing to give 100% then trust me...

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Mick L

I began using cocaine at the age of 30 as an occasional user at first which then spiralled over the years into everyday use.I sought help at the age of 45 and attended group meetings to learn how to free myself from my addiction and found myself getting periods of abstinence under my belt but would begin to drink alcohol regularly which led to me using cocaine again. After a couple of years of continual relapsing I took the program seriously and took full control of my cocaine addiction by using the tools I had learned. Understanding that 2 parts of my brain were in conflict with each other, the animal (my addictive voice) which wanted me to use cocaine and me (The real me) the part of me that would ask me why are you doing this to yourself why don't you stop doing this? I was suicidal, depressed, hated myself and had been kicked out my home because my family were being damaged by my behaviour. I had to stop and I made the commitment that my addiction was no longer going to control...

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John

Before I discovered Break Free I had tried everything, CA, GPs, drug addiction charities, etc and nothing seemed to work. I have been in the program for 9 weeks now and I completely have my life back. I am healthier, wealthier and happier than I have ever been in years. The crew here at break free are nothing short of amazing.

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Pete R

I was in a world of mess 10 weeks ago. Abusing alcohol and cocaine on a daily basis. There seemed to be only one solution to my situation.I had lost practically everything. Money, work and relationship. Reaching out to Break Free was a last-ditch cry for help. Through support and guidance, Break Free have shown that my addiction is separate to me and by using the tools provided, I now have addiction voice awareness. The whole process is very simple to follow so long as you commit 100% to the programme. There are times that it is raw and painfully hard, but the support given by the group and leaders shows your life doesn't have to be controlled by your addiction. I whole heartily recommend that if you have really had enough of living on the drink and drug merry-go-round then Break Free will give your life back so long as you put the effort in.

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Natalie T

BACKGROUND My name is Natalie and I am 36 years old. I am now a mum of four children and work full-time. It all started 19 years ago. I lived with my nan and grandad and unfortunately, they both passed away within a year of each other. The pain I felt was like nothing I had experienced in my life, I was lonely, sad, lost, depressed and wanted to die. I tried to commit suicide by taking 90 co-codamol. I woke up in the ICU after failing and was referred to one session with a psychiatrist. I was so ashamed and embarrassed, I stayed in hospital for over a week, saw a psychiatrist once and was later discharged. There was no follow up. My boyfriend at the time was a couple of years older than me and I started to go out drinking and was introduced to drugs, mostly cocaine. Every Friday I would plan my evening around which party to go to, and how much to spend on cocaine. This became every Friday and Saturday, it numbed the pain I felt for the loss of my nan and grandad. I bought a house...

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