An Ayrshire man who battled a 17-year cocaine addiction has founded a group to help others with their life challenges.
Lee Borthwick, 33, from Drongan, set up Unity Connections on Facebook after a series of chance encounters one Saturday morning.
The group – which is for “people who just can’t deal with life on life’s terms” – meets every Sunday morning in Ayr for coffee, a sea dip and sauna at the Citadel.
Lee took his first line of cocaine aged 15 but has turned his life around following a suicide attempt last year.
Cold water therapy was an important feature of Lee’s recovery and he explained why he has ingrained it as part of Unity Connections.
Speaking to Ayrshire Live, Lee said: “I had a good upbringing and stuff. I didn’t have any problems or anything significant in life that would drive me to drugs.
“It wasn’t until last year that I had my suicide attempt. I was broken, absolutely broken. I had been to mental health services but no one had understood what I was meaning.
“It wasn’t until I spoke to a recovered addict and he told me a bit about his story. It was exactly how I felt. I soon realised that I was using cocaine to cope with my thoughts, feelings and emotions.
“I went through the 12-step programme with Cocaine Anonymous but a big part of my recovery was cold water therapy because it releases dopamine and endorphins.
“When you come out the cold water, the levels rise for two to three hours whereas, with cocaine, it releases the same thing for nine minutes before it crashes.
“That’s why you chase it. Cold water gives you the same feeling but you don’t crash.”
Although the weekly sea dip is part of Lee’s routine, there is no obligation for anyone supported by the group to take part. Anyone can join for just a coffee and a chat.
Lee continues with cold water therapy and it was during one normal trip to Ayr on a Saturday morning which the idea for Unity Connections was born.
He said: “A few months ago, on a Saturday morning, I went into Ayr for a coffee. There was a homeless guy sitting so I stopped and spoke to him.
“I asked how he was and obviously things weren’t great because he was homeless and on the street.
“I asked him for a coffee but he said: ‘I can’t come for a coffee with you.’ I said: ‘Of course you can,’ and that I would say that I knew him.
“We went for a coffee and then he went his way and I went my way. I went down to the beach and I got into my shorts and went into the sea.
“It was still winter and people came to check I was okay. I told them I was in recovery, I was a cocaine addict and that I did this for my mental health and wellbeing.
“There were some people who asked if they could do it too and I said: ‘Certainly.’
“I then went up to the Citadel for the sauna and steam room. In just general chat, I was telling people what I was up to that morning.
“There were three or four people that morning, it was like a penny dropped for them. It was almost like a sigh of relief, that this boy was the same as me and he’s a young guy.
“I thought there might be something here. When I talk about mental health, addiction and suicide attempts, it’s not because I’ve got a PHD. It’s because I have got lived experience so people relate to me a lot better.”
For more information on Unity Connections, visit their Facebook page.
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