James has moved to Bangor from Manchester, hopefully leaving behind the gangsters who had tortured him, his drug-dealing days, and his cocaine addiction. [Listen to this earlier part of James’s story here.] How will the change of environment from big city in England to seaside town in North Wales affect his thinking, emotions, and behaviours? Find out in the films below.
1. Becoming Straight [5’52”]
Living in Bangor, James decides he has to go straight. He pictures himself where he’d like to be and behaves in the appropriate way. ‘What would a straight person do in this situation?’ He gains a peace of mind from being legitimate. He doesn’t have to worry about anyone kicking in his door at six in the morning.
2. Entering the System [6’15”]
James spends ten years working as a chef, whilst at the same time learning sober-living skills. He wants to go to university, but decides to gain six months work experience in the mental health field first. He loves the job so much he ends up working in the field for four years. He gets a job as a Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) worker where he learns about recovery from his boss, Peter Moorhouse.