A MAN has thanked a Cumbrian charity for saving his life after struggling with addiction for decades.

James Campbell, now aged 40, started using heroin at the age of 19 after years of abusing substances from an early age in Carlisle.

“Drugs were just my life,” the Finn Avenue resident said. “The first thing on my mind in the morning was drugs and how I could get my hands on some.

“Today I am studying in my spare bedroom after getting involved with The Well. I am completing a level 2 diploma in health and social care.

“It is hard to believe how far I have come, and I could not have done it without The Well in Barrow.”

Mr Campbell has now moved back to Carlisle, where he works with The Hepatitis C Trust going around Cumbria helping the testing programmes and supporting people with their treatment.

Using heroin was how James contracted Hepatitis C and injecting into his leg caused him to burst his femoral artery, which could have cost him a limb or, ultimately, his life.

He explained that one of the big turning points in his life was when he had been in hospital after attempting to take his own life.

“After I came out of hospital, I was in the town centre and saw a preacher talking,” he said.

“A lady came over and asked whether this spoke to me, she said her husband had been like me but was now clean and she invited me for a coffee the following week.”

Jan and Arthur became a vital part of James’ recovery as it reaffirmed his goal to get clean and join The Well, which would require him to get off methadone.

It was a huge task that he managed to come through and, in October 2019, he joined The Well; a place that he described as ‘the best time of his life’.

They teach life skills such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, plus much more – abilities drug addicts can struggle with.

He now plans to help those who are struggling like he was through his role with The Hepatitis C Trust and aid in their mission to eradicate the disease. “I am eternally grateful, they saved my life,” he said.