From addiction to advocate: Alan Mends shares his 33-year journey

Alan Mends is the Managing Director of Iris Place Rehabilitation Centre. He believes overcoming addiction requires addressing a spiritual dimension.

On April 22nd, Alan spoke candidly on the Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle. He shared his personal 33-year battle with substance use and recovery. “We are never cured of addiction,” he stated. “What we have is a daily reprieve.”

As a recovering addict, Alan dedicates his life to Iris Place. He co-founded the center in 2019. For six years, it has been a beacon of hope for many individuals seeking recovery.

“Iris started in 2019,” he said. “I have seen many people come in. Helping others helps me maintain my own recovery.”

Alan's journey into addiction began despite being raised in a strict religious environment. “I was brought up by a strict disciplinarian,” he recalled, mentioning both the Bible and a cane.

He emphasized the importance of emotional awareness in parenting. A better understanding of emotional needs could help children resist substance use.

“I believe parents should know their kids' emotional aspects,” he said. This knowledge can encourage open communication.

A significant turning point for Alan was hitting his personal "rock bottom." He described this moment as pressing "the button," which sparked his desire for change.

He confided in his sister about wanting to stop using drugs, but she was skeptical due to past failures. “When I hit the button, I told my sister I wanted to stop,” he explained.

With her support, Alan entered a treatment facility run by the Catholic Church. He underwent two and a half years of intensive rehabilitation, which he calls life-altering.

“It was an eureka moment when I got to recovery,” he said proudly. By the end of his first year, he received a scholarship for addiction management studies.

Today, Iris Place uses the twelve-step recovery model that helped Alan transform his life. This approach addresses detoxification and underlying mental obsessions while helping clients find purpose.

“The twelve-step model helps clients stop using substances,” Alan explained. It also guides them toward new ways of living.

He noted that these principles apply beyond addiction recovery; they help navigate life's challenges too.

“The twelve-step model is like instructions for any gadget,” he said, emphasizing its universal relevance—especially for those struggling with substance abuse.

Ultimately, Alan believes true recovery requires a spiritual foundation. The struggle involves not just individuals but also their communities and relationships with God.

“The problem of an addict is personal but also communal and spiritual,” he concluded.