A man with a cocaine addiction that began when he was 15 says cold water therapy helps him stay sober – and now uses it to help support other recovering addicts. At his lowest point, 33-year-old Lee Borthwick attempted suicide, leading to a stay in a psychiatric facility.
Now, after almost a year of sober living and a recovery process that “opened a lot of old wounds”, Lee says his life has “completely turned around” through a 12-step programme and cold water therapy.
“I took my first line of cocaine at 15 and looking back, I used it addictively from the very first day,” said Lee, from Drongan, Ayrshire.
“I never saw myself as an addict until the last few years, purely because up until that point I still had a house, I had a job and I was still married. I thought an addict was someone who lives on the streets and injects heroin.”
Lee said the turning point came after he tried to take his own life and ended up in a psychiatric facility. He realised he needed help and went to Cocaine Anonymous.
Lee said: “I wrote down all the things I’ve done in the past because of my addiction, and then sat with my sponsor and looked through it. It opens a lot of old wounds but I had to open them to get free of my addiction.”
Lee says cold water therapy at nearby Ayr beach has really helped him. He has started his own group, Unity Connections, where recovering addicts can meet, talk and take a dip.
The group, run by Lee assisted by best friend Keith Murphy, has grown from three members to over 40, and is open to anyone struggling with addiction, homelessness or mental health issues.
Lee said: “Recovery has given me a life I never had. Moving forward, if I can help one person with my experience, then it’s all worth it.”
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