I want to share a deeply personal story of transformation and healing. It's about how I went from being a successful entrepreneur who lost everything to addiction, to becoming the counsellor I am today, running a company on a mission to make a real difference in the world. This journey took me from chasing achievement to seeking true fulfilment in life.
Under the grey afternoon sky, I sat there on a park bench.
I could feel my jumper stick to me as the drizzle of rain slowly soaked through each layer of my clothes. I took the last few drags of a joint after a heavy night of drinking and doing coke.
At this point, my brain was so cloudy I couldn’t even remember how many days in a row this had been going on.
I stared into space, trying to numb the brick-filled pit in my stomach.
You see, back in 2015, I was running a successful web design and marketing company with 5 employees.
However, the stress of the business, combined with the trauma of losing mum – who died from an overdose when I was 10 years-old – led me to drink and use drugs on a daily basis.
I ignored the warning signs, keeping my head buried in the sand. I continued spiralling until eventually, I lost everything: the penthouse flat, the sea view, the Mercedes, the business and the office.
But most significantly I lost the trust of and connection with my family and friends.
My life crumbling around me, I sat on that park bench looking to drink more and score more drugs.
I called everyone I could think of – people I had already manipulated either successfully or unsuccessfully – to ‘lend’ me more money to keep going.
I had one number left.
He was one of my business mentors and a good friend. I pressed ‘call’ and the phone started ringing.
But as I tried to bullshit my way through this call, he could see right through it and he cut me off with a sentence that would change my life forever:
“Luke, you’re a crackhead.”
It hit me like a bus.
And although I had never smoked crack, I realised in that moment, I was an addict heading towards death just like my mum.
In one truthful comment, he shattered all my denial…
And I had my first moment of clarity…
It was then I went searching for answers...
I searched Google. I read countless books and articles, trying to find out why I drank, why I used drugs, and how to stop.
I listened to countless podcasts and mentors on YouTube and attended multiple personal development seminars.
I then looked at rehabs. The cost was well in excess of £20,000, which was just not possible! I was already thousands of pounds in debt.
Also, I questioned how locking me away for a month was going to help me stay sober when I got out of the rehab bubble? I would still have to deal with all these problems in my life – in the real world.
Then, as we all do,
I tried AA. I went to a few meetings but didn’t understand the whole ‘higher power thing’ and that I was expected to believe that I was powerless. And sitting in a group listening to everyone’s stories – I just did not get how that was going to help me!
Nothing seemed to be working…
I realised all these tactics were trying to resolve the symptoms and not the cause.
It was then I discovered addiction therapy.
Walking into my first therapy session I believed I would die from bringing forth all the pain and torment I carried.
I had suppressed so many of my emotions that I didn’t know what I would find and that scared the shit out of me!
Previous therapies like CBT and talking therapy had not been effective for me, as they never seemed to address my drinking habits.
But this therapist was different. Armed with their own experience of addiction and work in rehabs, they were able to connect the dots and address my issues with alcohol in a way that no one else had before.
I started to become more aware of my behaviour and began to take my head out of the sand.
The sessions put me outside my comfort zone and sometimes it felt like I was running an emotional marathon.
But over time, I developed the courage needed to embrace the uncertainty and anxiety of this journey of self-discovery.
As time went on, I took action to get things under control and stopped drinking and using drugs.
But, success is never a straight line and sometimes I would have left-field moments that would trigger me with emotions and I would slip.
Sometimes it felt like I would take one step forward and two steps back.
But every time, I dusted myself off and persevered, session after session, week after week.
Each time I slipped I would learn from the trigger and gain deeper emotional awareness.
Slowly, I processed more of the guilt and shame from the past.
Gradually, I emptied all the contents of this big bag of shit I had been carrying around my whole life.
After years of going around in maddening circles, I finally felt like I knew why.
I finally felt that I had broken this never-ending cycle.
As the people around me saw me sticking to my word and taking action month after month, they began to slowly trust me again.
I, too, began to trust myself.
I started dating again and met my partner. I went into a trusting relationship, being honest, which made me proud of myself and helped me rebuild my sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
As my life got back on track I took a really hard look at my friends.
Some of them were just drinking friends but with others, I actually had a lot in common with, outside of drinking.
I managed to continue socialising and be confident in social situations while not feeling like the odd one out.
With the tools in place to manage work without letting the stress overwhelm me, I finally had things under control.
As I made it past my first few months I knew I had moved from having cravings to having a choice.
7
Years Sober
3500+
Counselling Sessions Delivered
375
Hours of Counselling Received
What our clients have to say
Luke was someone that I found to be very personable and also trustworthy, and he seemed to truly care about my rehabilitation.
- HARRY
Luke is a great counsellor. He is empathetic, knowledgeable and really makes the sessions fit you.
- JAMES
Instantly felt a connection as Luke is such a genuine bloke. I felt it very easy to be open and honest from the get go. Not once did I feel like I was being judged, which I think was most of my fears in the beginning. Most therapists I searched appear to have text book experiences, but Luke's been there and done it all which meant we could laugh about some of the stories we both had.
- STUART
Luke Worsfold is a dedicated and compassionate addiction therapist with a rich background in counselling, specialising in drug and alcohol addiction.
With over 3500 hours of counselling delivered, Luke's approach is deeply rooted in a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and person-centred therapy, complemented by his expertise in transactional analysis.
As the CEO and Lead Addiction Therapist at Lisa Inside Addiction, Luke has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting clients on their journey to recovery, underpinned by his own personal milestone of seven years of sobriety.
Throughout my academic journey at the University of Essex, where I pursued a Bachelor's degree in Counselling, I was privileged to immerse myself in a diverse and profound range of subjects that have fundamentally shaped my counselling philosophy and practice.
The breadth of topics has equipped me with a multifaceted understanding of human psychology and therapeutic interventions.
One of the most significant insights I gained was the importance of tailoring the therapeutic approach to the individual needs of clients, acknowledging their unique cultural, social, and personal backgrounds.
This academic foundation has not only furnished me with a comprehensive toolkit of counselling skills but has also deepened my commitment as a drug therapist to facilitating healing and transformation with integrity, compassion, and cultural competence.
TOPICS STUDIED
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Luke Worsfold - Register number 379258
Adhering to the ethical framework provided by the BACP is central to my practice as a drug therapist. This commitment to ethical standards is not just a professional obligation; it underpins the trust and safety that are foundational to the therapeutic relationship. This ethical grounding reassures clients of my professionalism and dedication to their best interests, facilitating a therapeutic alliance that is both healing and transformative. View More
Addiction Professionals
Federation of Drug & Alcohol Practitioners (FDAP)
As a Practitioner Member of the Federation of Drug & Alcohol Practitioners (FDAP), now integrated into Addiction Professionals, I am deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct and ethics within the addiction recovery sector. This membership not only underscores my dedication to providing quality practice but also demonstrates to clients my adherence to a rigorous set of ethical guidelines designed to ensure the best outcomes for those struggling with addiction. View More
DBT Accreditation
The Association for Psychological Therapies - APT Accredited May 2018
The DBT training provided me with a structured framework to support individuals struggling with emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. The hands-on approach adopted during the course enabled me to practice and refine my skills in facilitating one-on-one and group therapy. Settings that present unique challenges and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. I learned the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel valued and understood. The DBT skills are instrumental in guiding my clients towards managing their emotions and improving their relationships.
In my role as CEO and Lead Addiction Counsellor at Lisa Inside Addiction for over six years, I have delivered more than 3500 hours of addiction counselling, specializing in the nuanced and complex field of addiction. This extensive experience has not only honed my skills in therapeutic interventions but also deepened my understanding of the multifaceted nature of addiction, including its psychological, social, and physiological aspects.
As a Drug and Alcohol Therapist at Step by Step Recovery, I had the opportunity to work in a private rehab setting, engaging closely with high-functioning clients over intensive 28-day programs. This period was transformative, not only for the clients I served but also for my professional development. The experience provided me with a nuanced understanding of addiction recovery, especially through the lenses of trauma-informed care and the dynamics of rehab environments. Working both in groups and one-on-one, I delved into the complexities of clients' life stories and deep-seated trauma, facilitating interventions that were as much about healing as they were about sobriety. This hands-on experience reinforced the critical importance of addressing the underlying emotional and psychological factors fueling substance use disorders.
As an Alcohol and Drug Therapist at Steps2Recovery, a London-based charity providing free rehab services to individuals coming directly from prison, it was a period of significant professional and personal growth. This unique setting presented the opportunity to work with a client base facing complex challenges, not only related to substance abuse but also the intricate process of reintegration into society post-incarceration. Learning alongside some of the best counsellors in the country, I was immersed in an environment that was as challenging as it was rewarding.
Working with the Young Person’s Drug and Alcohol Team (YPDAT) was a formative experience that significantly shaped my approach to counselling. YPDAT, dedicated to supporting individuals under 18, and young adults up to 21 with substance misuse issues, provided a unique opportunity to engage with a demographic at a critical juncture in their lives. This role emphasized not only the treatment of substance misuse but also the importance of early intervention and the development of a robust transition pathway to adult services for those beyond the age threshold.
Working with The Probation was a profoundly impactful chapter in my counselling career, enriching my professional practice with deep insights and invaluable skills. This role involved providing 1:1 support to clients on probation, a demographic that presented complex challenges stemming from a mix of legal issues, substance misuse, and the broader task of societal reintegration. My engagement wasn't limited to addiction counselling; it extended to helping clients understand their actions, the consequences thereof, and the foundational steps towards becoming better members of society.
As an addiction counsellor, I recently had the opportunity to appear on Channel 5's The Jeremy Vine Show, where I discussed alcohol addiction with Jeremy Vine's cohost Storm and guest Simon Thomas.
During the "Talking Health" segment, I shared insights from my extensive experience, addressing topics like common triggers and unhealthy alcohol use. I also offered compassionate advice on how to support a loved one struggling with addiction, emphasising the importance of open communication and seeking professional help.
My appearance on the show aimed to raise awareness about alcohol addiction and provide valuable guidance to viewers, leaving a lasting impression and potentially making a positive impact on many lives. READ MORE....
As seen in...
LISA INSIDE ADDICTION LIMITED - Company number 13401226
Registered Address: 1259 London Road, C/O Mcl Accountants, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, England, SS9 2AF
Trading Address: Staple Inn, 4 High Holborn, London WC1V 7QH
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