James Kelly has been with Safe as Houses for two months, after he said his life was “unmanageable” in the community.

After finding his cousin dead, the 26-year-old began a downward spiral which led to him trying to take his own life three times.

He said: “I was in denial that I had a problem.

“My family tried to help me, but I never accepted it.

“I would never talk about my feelings, and I’m still learning how to do that.”

James had been to Alternatives a few times, but had never accepted the support they offered.

Read more: Addicts at Alternatives warn governments: 'More people are going to die'

He started using cocaine, before moving to “cheaper drugs”.

Since working with Safe as Houses, James has been able to address his feelings, and deal with the traumas which he had experienced.

His progress was clear in how he reacted to the recent death of a friend.

He said: “I went straight to the office and spoke to them about it.

“All the staff have been amazing with me, and I’m able to open up to them. I’ve never really spoken about my feelings and this is the first time that I’ve been able to.

“It broke me, it really did, but it was good to break. They got that out of me, and I really needed that.

“I thought I had no hope, nothing. If I hadn’t come here, I really think I would be dead by now.”