A West Belfast man has opened up about the journey he has gone through after experiencing a traumatic event as a child.
Martin, known by friends as Marty, turned to drugs and alcohol, leading to a battle with addiction for many years. He felt severe isolation, which was compounded by his substance misuse.
And when things became unbearable, Marty made an attempt to take his own life, and had suicidal thoughts after that moment, which he said destroyed his family.
Read more: Extern work helping to transform lives for over 45 years
Speaking to Belfast Live, Martin said that after being introduced to Extern, the charity which supports people who have been affected by homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction, his life has been completely changed.
"I went through a traumatic event as a child and that lead on to drink and drugs abuse," he said.
"I was consuming a lot of drugs and alcohol and then in 2019 I managed to get myself off drugs, and to do that I had to get away from a lot of people. It was about cutting myself off from certain people. But I was still drinking and was completely isolated and made one attempt on my life.
"It destroyed my family and I was getting back that thought process, where I wanted to do it again. There was such heavy alcohol consumption, and that ended up with me being hospitalised. It progressed to the community addictions team and I ended up in Holywell in Antrim and then down to Carlisle House Rehab.
"I'd never heard of Extern, but when I was in rehab, Michelle from Extern came in to meet me. She explained the work that Extern does and that they were going to be setting up a post-recovery hub on a Thursday evening.
"When I got out of Carlisle House, I joined the post-recovery hub and from there, I was signposted to a lot of different things with Extern. My granny died in January, and I had a minor relapse, but with the help and support from Extern, I am back to a good place again now."
Martin is now involved with acupuncture, yoga, an art programme through The MAC in Belfast and other activities he would never have dreamed of doing.
The team started a walking group, which takes place every Friday - and they walked the famous Stairway to Heaven in Co Fermanagh last weekend.
"The walking group has been amazing to me," he added.
"I have found myself going out walking on my own, if I feel that things are building up. It has been a real help for me. The most important thing for me, with Extern, is the re-connection.
"Even though I had got off the drugs, I was completely isolated. The isolation and alcoholism was killing me. I am so thankful to Extern for helping me to get back out into the community - even so much so, I have been nominated as Community Champion.
"It's about having a sense of purpose, a sense of fulfilment. Even the title Community Champion, that brings me a sense of pride and gratitude. I am so thankful for everything that Extern has done for me, and how they have helped me make new friends for life.
"The Martin I was this time last year wouldn't be sitting here talking about this today - not a mission. It wouldn't have happened. The re-connection with Extern has given me the confidence to do this, and to do things outside of Extern too.
"I also volunteer at St James Community Farm on a Monday morning, which I really enjoy. Extern has changed my life, massively. I wasn't looking after myself this time last year. I am a different person.
"The Extern team is non-judgemental and they give so much reassurance. You feel that you can open up, whereas before, with certain doctors, I felt a sense of judgement - you don't get that here.
"My advice to anyone who is in a similar situation to what I was once is, is that the first step is always the hardest. But it is worth it. Your life will improve greatly, it has for me.
"If you are feeling nervous about the first step, just give them a call. You will get that help right of the cuff and you'll feel that reassurance form day one. It has always been hard for me to make, and to maintain relationships, but the friends I have made here they are going to be friends for life.
"It is hard to praise yourself, but I am getting to the stage now where I can say that I am proud of myself. It is hard to pat myself on the back, but when I think about it, I am proud."
For further details on Extern’s work, visit www.extern.org
You can donate to Extern for their Big Give campaign right here.
READ NEXT:
Figures reveal over £1m lost in NI in scams in last two months
Streetlights could be turned off in cost-cutting measure, DfI warns
PSNI warning as half of those killed on NI roads this year were pedestrians
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
