'I was a slave to the addiction'

Dan Dobbs now works at Lincoln Recovery Partnership to help others

A recovering alcoholic who says he once "hit rock bottom" has encouraged employers to have "empathy" for people overcoming addiction.

Dan Dobbs, 38, from Lincoln, began drinking at 18 whilst working in the hospitality industry.

He now works for Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership after receiving support from the service himself.

Mr Dobbs said: "Some of the most gifted, skilled people I've ever seen are in recovery. Please don't give up on them. Please give them an opportunity."

Mr Dobbs said 2018 was "one of his worst years for drinking"

The partnership is holding a conference on 15 August to educate recruiters and employers on how to support those in recovery.

Mr Dobbs said he began drinking alcohol began when he started working at a restaurant in Lincoln.

"The catering industry is very boisterous. I thought, I've got to live up to these people. That was the only way I could impress them."

However, he said things started to "really go downhill" for him in his early 20s.

"The drinking became more excessive, more problematic. Alcohol started to cause me problems."

By his mid 20s, he said he was drinking everyday - and was "in trouble."

He added: "You're a slave to the addiction. Alcohol was the boss of my life. Alcohol controlled my finances. Alcohol controlled my relationships. Alcohol controlled how well I was doing at work."

By his early 30s, Mr Dobbs said "everything had gone."

"I had no friends left, no one really wanted to speak to me. My physical [health] had started to decline, my mental health was in pieces."

In 2020, he reached out to the Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership for support.

'I was just existing'

"That was the first time I had ever felt a bit of help. There's something magical about the building when you walk in."

Mr Dobbs then gradually reduced his intake with support from the service.

"You're judged in society everywhere. I've had doctors judge me, managers, you name it. So to come here and get that empathetic, non-judgemental approach, that's where the magic comes from."

After volunteering as a peer mentor for the partnership, Mr Dobbs was then appointed as a recovery connector to support others.

He is now training to become a recovery coach.

Mr Dobbs said talking about addiction has helped him in his recovery

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He said: "Recovery happens. I never thought it would happen to me, but it has. It can happen to everybody else. Please, please get the support you need."

Lincolnshire Recovery Partnership has a dedicated employment team which focuses on matching those in recovery with potential employers.

It also equips those using the service with the skills to thrive in the world of work.

Lincolnshire Employer Conference 2025, which will be held by the partnership on 15 August, will also be attended by guest speaker and former Arsenal footballer, Paul Merson.

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