A Belfast man has opened up about the moment he decided "enough was enough" after years of substance abuse.
When Gary was a young teenager, he started to experiment with alcohol - that soon spiralled and he saw himself drink heavily, and moving on to drugs.
The 36-year-old, from West Belfast, says he would have worked all week, to spend his wages on cocaine and alcohol. His life had been turned upside down, and he lost his family, friends and children.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Gary said: "My mum was an alcoholic and she passed away when I was young. My drinking started when I was around 14/15.
"Things got out of control from a young age. I turned to drugs in my early 20s, and it was cocaine. It was out of control. My whole wage was going to it after a full week's work - it was a vicious cycle and I felt like I couldn't get out of it.
"I lost everything. I disappeared. I lost my family, my siblings, my father, and took myself off to Co Down to live, to get away. I have six children, and lost them, and that was a cycle too. Losing my children while my addiction was getting worse."
Gary says when he was 18, he went to Cuan Mhuire, Ireland's largest voluntary provider of Addiction Treatment Services and Residential Rehabilitation. And from then, he has returned a number of time.
After moving to Lurgan, and having a baby son with his partner, Gary stayed sober for 12 months. But, he soon lost access to his son, as he began to drink again.
"My partner fell pregnant again, and the cycle continued, we lost the two kids," he added.
"I was sitting in Newcastle, and got phonecall about the kids, and foster care was mentioned. That is when I said 'enough is enough' and I went into rehab on June 9. That was the turning point for me.
"On June 9 this year, I was three years drink and drug free and I have my boys back. It has been incredible. They are just brilliant, they are three and four, and both start nursery soon.
"It is step by step. But at my lowest point, I never thought I would be where I am today. Never.
"There is help out there, and I want to spread that message. Cuan Mhuire saved my life. They let me stay there, in rehab, for a year. I told them I wasn't ready and that I didn't want to lose my kids. They helped me massively.
"Sister Sheila, who runs the place, is just incredible. I can't thank them enough.
"There are too many young people passing away because of drink and drugs, and I want to share my story, so that it can let others know that if I can do it, so can you."
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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