Katy Morland, who lives in Shoreham, started drinking when she was 13 and used her first substance when she was 18.
The 43-year-old said: “It went on for years.
“The last three years have been the deepest and darkest of my life.
“I was beyond broken.”
Katy during addiction (Image: Katy Morland)
She said she tried fellowship programmes – a type of support group for people with addictions – but they “didn’t work for her”, leaving the mum-of-two “banging her head against a brick wall”.
However, Ms Morland then discovered Mean and Clean, a 24/7 addiction recovery programme founded by Marcus Pereira.
The programme allowed her to turn her life around, leaving her “stronger than ever before”.
“I have found this programme and learnt how to live life,” she said.
“I’m fit, I’m strong. I found my calling and I want to help other people.”
Katy now, in recovery (Image: Katy Morland)
The Mean and Clean programme generally spans six months, Ms Morland said, with the first month focusing on “routine and discipline”.
Participants are provided with “constant support” and group calls. More information can be found at meanandclean.co.uk.
Following on from her recovery, Ms Morland now wants to help others.
She said: “I’m 43 and I have never known what I want to do.
“This feels like a true calling. All I want to do is help other people.”
She is planning on volunteering at Cascade Creative Recovery in Brighton, a social drop-in service for people in recovery for substance misuse.
Katy now (Image: Katy Morland)
She then hopes to volunteer with Mean and Clean.
Ms Morland also hosted a Christmas sea dip near the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove at 10am on Wednesday, December 24, to raise awareness of addiction recovery.
She was joined by her two sons, her mother and friends. She was also surprised by her sister and brother-in-law which made Ms Morland “cry with joy”.
Katy’s sea dip near King Alfred Leisure Centre (Image: Katy Morland)
“My two sons came who I’m very lucky to have,” she said.
“A lot of people in addiction aren’t lucky enough to have their families behind them.”
The brave sea-dippers wore festive hats as they plunged into the cold water.
