This month has been designated as Alcohol and Addiction Awareness Month. Yesterday The Royal Gazette highlighted the work of substance abuse service Turning Point. Today Frank, whose real named has been changed, shares his story about the fight against addiction.

Frank grew up with the help of his godparents, because his father did not accept him as his child. When his mother and father separated he returned home only to be deemed an outcast by his siblings.

After suffering years of physical and mental abuse Frank turned to love in "all the wrong places" and in particular devoted his time to martial arts.

It was a way to intimidate, and to make himself feel even better . He would collect material things with money he raised through his drug dealing.

He began smoking marijuana at the age of 11 and was selling by the time he was in high school. Education took a "back burner" as he excelled in rolling "joints".

That quickly progressed to selling heroin and cocaine. He became a bully by channelling his anger, because of the abuse, through martial arts and intimidated everyone around him, especially his family.

It was only after a moment of clarity on the Island and treatment overseas that finally let Frank face his demons and find a way out of the drug life he had led.

"I was in detox for ten days at Turning Point, but when I came out I wasn't ready for the Turning Point Programme. I gave them all hell but they tolerated me.

"This was the foundation of my recovery. It got me going. I went overseas and did the 28-day programme. Then I did an extended care treatment programme.

"I went to Florida for a residential plan as part of my treatment and I thought it was going to be palm trees, beaches and sun. But they tore me up.

"They made me face myself. See myself for who I am. They challenge you to look at yourself. It's like a boot camp when you're made to face your demons before they build you up.

"You can chain them, beat them, tie them up, but if an addict hasn't hit bottom there's nothing you can do. I couldn't stop for no one. I tried stopping for my wife, stopping for my children. Until I got the gift of desperation that's what turned me around."

With 280 current clients at Turning Point and with this month listed as the Alcohol and Addiction Awareness month, Frank and other addicts are sharing their stories to hopefully help others struggling through the pain.

Turning Point offers both outpatient, inpatient and a methadone programme to its clients, however, with only eight beds available for their detox clients, Preston Swan, the programme manager said the Island needed more long-term treatment centres available.

Mr. Swan said that, coupled with preventive education targeted at school-age children, it could help stem the addiction tide that is sweeping the Island.

All of this could be done, he says, to help those, who unlike Frank are unable to leave the Island. It would help provide the support they need to get themselves off drugs.

Frank added: "I have so much gratitude for the treatment overseas. Today I am full of gratitude."