He started using marijuana at nine-years old, only after his cousin who was selling drugs actually made him wait a year – he would have started at eight.

When he went away to school in the United States at 17 he had more access to the drug and eventually started cocaine and then progressed to heroin after several stints in prison back on the Island.

Casey, whose name has been changed, credits a change in his attitude and help from Turning Point after his last relapse for where he is today.

He said: "I went to Turning Point after my last relapse. I had exhausted all avenues. I was using, had written off my convertible car, then had to sell my bike for money to buy drugs.

"I went into the detox unit then tried the methadone programme. It didn't agree with me though. Around this time I had to go back to prison as I had messed up my probation order.

"This was the first time I had entered prison clean and I left prison clean. I had my mind made up. When I came out of prison I didn't even need methadone. I now totally abstain from any mind altering substances, alcohol, or drugs."

From selling drugs on the street to managing a number of recovering addicts who do maintenance and painting work around the Island, Casey has got his life back on track.

He decided to share his story during Alcohol and Addiction Month to hopefully help understand what the disease is like and to give a insight to the problems faced by the Island's addicts.

Many are unable to enter a long-term treatment centre because they cannot afford to leave the Island and there are limited facilities in Bermuda.

That's why Turning Point Programme Manager Preston Swan is also seeking a solution for people who cannot leave and also to start enforcing preventive education at an early age.

Casey added: "I live a simple life today. I'm closely connected to my family and am putting my daughter through college. Most of my life I've been an addict and it's all right. It has taught me so much. I am so grateful to the people who trusted me and the people who supported my business, especially the paint company."