Rod Anderson set up a recovery café for former addicts in the Borders but first he had to go on a painful journey of recovery himself

I used to work in a difficult and high-pressured job. My employer knew about my problem and knew I was using alcohol while working. I was offered private hospital care but I was in denial, I said I could sort it myself…but I couldn’t.

I met with Addaction in 2010 and took two weeks off work to start my recovery. This included a confidential five-day detox at home, with nurses and medicines, then a week’s cooling off. I returned to work the following week to be told I was sacked. The evidence was there, there was nothing I could do.

Addaction was there for me the whole time. And eventually, after a hospital admission, another detox, relapses, another job dismissal, an alternative career and an attempt at safe drinking, the penny dropped and I saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s the best thing that could have happened to me. Other people’s struggles are a constant reminder of why I’m here.

Rod Anderson with Nicola Sturgeon

Fast-forward to the present day and I now have a life beyond my wildest dreams. I am a Addaction project worker, based at the Galashiels branch in the Scottish Borders region and the person from the charity who initially threw me a lifeline is now my close colleague.

After I got my life back on track it became really important to me to help others on their road to recovery. In 2014 I became a recovery champion for Addaction Scotland, doing voluntary work to help others like me. Then, on my second recovery anniversary, I became a full-time project worker.

It’s the best thing that could have happened to me. Other people’s struggles are a constant reminder of why I’m here. I can show them the way and give them hope – as my journey proves it’s all fixable. I want to build a recovery community that gets bigger and stronger all the time.

Addaction support adults, children, young adults and older people to make positive behavioural changes. Whether that's with alcohol, drugs, or mental health and wellbeing, we’re here to help people improve their lives in ways they never thought possible.

My job is about providing support, information and advice to individuals in relations to substance misuse (and improve access to appropriate services).

I set up the Serendipity Recovery Café, which meets every Thursday night in Galashiels, to give people affected by addiction in the Borders somewhere to socialise and make friends without the pressure of drugs or alcohol being around.

Addaction was 100% behind me in setting up Serendipity Recovery Café. It was peer support like this that made my own recovery sustainable. I had a brilliant project worker who encouraged me to attend groups, so the idea for the café took hold there. We’ve built it up to be a great success.

I was amazed though when our local MSP Christine Grahame popped into the Addaction office to tell me she had nominated me for her local hero. I attended the opening of the Scottish Parliament with her on 2 July, which was a fantastic occasion.

I’m so honoured to be given this award. Ultimately, I just want to give back to Addaction what it has given to me. Recovery can and will happen with Addaction across Scotland and I am proof of that.