For more than a decade, drug addiction controlled Nathan’s life. With support from The Wallich, he is now drug free, lives independently and is determined to use his experiences to help others thrive.
Read his story
“Before I came to The Wallich, my life was chaotic. It was a mess. Everything revolved around drugs.
I wasn’t living, I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t really existing. I was addicted to drugs for at least ten years.
It started off small, but every time something happened in my life, I used it as an excuse to go harder and heavier.
Before you know it, your life is spiralling out of control and there’s literally nothing you can do about it, unless you get help.”
Over the years, Nathan became dependent on heroin, crack cocaine and other substances. The impact on his physical health was severe.
“I’ve got really bad health conditions through the lifestyle I lived.”
As his addiction worsened, Nathan found himself trapped in a relentless cycle of survival.
“Every day you wake up ill and withdrawing. Then you’ve got to find money however you can. Begging, shoplifting, whatever it takes. Day in, day out.
Eventually you start asking yourself, what’s the point?”
Finding support
Nathan first connected with The Wallich through our rough sleeping services in Swansea.
“They gave me an emergency bed first of all. Later, they offered me a place at Dinas Fechan.”
Although he was still actively using substances at the time, Nathan’s journey towards recovery began when he moved through The Wallich’s accommodation services and eventually arrived at Ty Tom Jones.
“When I moved to Ty Tom Jones, things started to get better. Slowly, bit by bit.
I thought I could do it on my own, but I couldn’t. I needed help and support around me. Even if it was just someone to talk to, just someone to be there more than anything.”
The power of emotional support
When asked what made the biggest difference to his recovery, Nathan said:
“More than anything, it was the emotional support. Even if it was just someone to talk to, someone to be there. That was the main thing.
They gave me things to put in place when something happened. It gave me structure. It helped me stop spiralling out of control.”
Alongside practical support, Nathan found something he had been missing for years: a sense of belonging.
“They’d take me out, keep me busy, take me bowling, play pool. But more than anything, it was the feeling that you were part of something.
People cared about you. Someone actually thought you were worthy. That’s the most important support you can get, knowing you’re not alone.”
A different chapter
Today, Nathan says his life is almost unrecognisable compared to where he was when he first sought help.
“Just talking about it now makes me smile. It’s like a different chapter. It’s like a different person.
I didn’t think happiness existed. I’m over the moon with where I am now in my life.”
Nathan now has his own home, something he describes as one of his greatest achievements.
“My home is my safe place. That’s my haven. That’s my little bit of land. That’s my everything.”
Reflecting on his journey, Nathan is clear about the role The Wallich played in helping him turn his life around.
“I can’t thank the staff enough. I can’t thank The Wallich enough.
Without that first person saying, ‘We’ll help you here,’ I’d still be in the gutter. I honestly don’t think I’d be here today.”
Looking ahead with hope
Nathan’s experiences have inspired him to want to support others facing challenges like he did.
“My plans are to become a support worker. I want to help people and give something back.
If anybody thinks there’s no support out there, there is. There’s always someone there.
The support workers won’t judge you. They won’t look down on you. They’re sincere, kind and thoughtful, and that’s everything I want to be.
I’m a better person now than I’ve ever been. I’m just overjoyed. Totally, pure happiness.”
Chris, a Senior Support Worker at Ty Tom Jones said
“I’ve been supporting Nathan for the last eight months, until he moved into his own property.
“I’ve seen loads of change in Nathan. He’s a lot happier within himself, he’s come out of his shell and living life to the max.
“From where he was when I first clapped eyes on Nathan, the progress in that time is unbelievable.
“He’s taken big strides, taken it all on the chin and has worked with me all along the way. I’m so proud of him”