No One Chooses Addiction with Scaffolder Harry Tuffs
Dan is joined by scaffolder and ex-addict Harry Tuffs in this episode. Harry made the decision to become sober aged just 22 and talks to Dan about how and why he went into recovery at such a young age, from drinking in the morning at 18 years old to standing at the edge of life and death on a bridge 4 short years later.
Dan and Harry talk about the drinking and drug culture young men have to face and the amplification of this found in many trade industries, particularly scaffolding. Harry then goes on to open up about his suicide attempt and is frank about how difficult it was to try and get the help he needed.
The guys also discuss the denial there is surrounding alcohol and drug abuse and what it took for them to realise they had a problem as well as why the clarity being sober brings is often the most difficult part of the journey.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Harry’s young heart was broken by Fulham when at the age of 15, after playing for them for 15 years, he was told he was too short. This is when his drinking began. Harry enjoyed the effects of alcohol; it made him feel comfortable. It was after working with older guys that he started sniffing MKAT and along with taking this, his drinking accelerated. Scaffolding and other trades that attract working-class men and are particularly hard work often go hand in hand with drinking and drug taking. This culture can be hard to avoid as a young person first starting out. After earning a good wage, Harry moved on to cocaine use. At first, it was just to enjoy on a night out but before too long he was taking it before he went out and eventually taking it on his own at home. Addicts attract addicts and this amplifies addiction and normalises drug and alcohol addiction in peer groups. Harry found that no matter where he went, he would attract what he calls ‘wrong’uns’. Harry was miserable, but the people around him didn’t realise, he would always put on an act when in company, often behaving larger than life. Harry reached out for help from his GP but was told there was no funding. It took Harry standing on a bridge contemplating jumping before he really got the help he needed. The tough part of sobriety is the clarity it brings. Addicts will frequently blame everyone apart from themselves for their behaviour, Harry recognises this in his own addiction journey, particularly towards his parents. At his lowest point, Harry was having episodes of psychosis as well as feelings of complete despair, he just wanted to die. Addicts will often ask themselves, if I don’t drink or take drugs what will I do? The answer is you will start to live your life.
BEST MOMENTS
“Any opportunity I wanted to drink, because I liked the effects of alcohol, I liked how it made me feel. It made me feel loose, it made me feel comfortable”
“When you’re an addict you attract addicts”
“If I was on my own I was miserable but as soon as I had company I was giving it the big one”
“For the first time in my life, I am sat there saying, help me”
“I just wanted to die, I just didn’t want to wake up”
“People say you have a choice, if I had a choice I wouldn’t have ended up where I was, there isn’t a choice”
“People don’t realise the strength it takes to go sober”
VALUABLE RESOURCES
CONTACT METHOD
ABOUT THE GUEST
Harry Tuffs
“My name is Harry Tuffs I am 26 years old, I have been clean and sober for 4 years. At the age of 16 I started working in construction as a scaffolder by the time I was 18 I was an alcoholic and using cocaine just to get out of bed in the morning.
Over the next 4 years drink and drugs slowly took away everything I had in my life until there was nothing left, the only option for me at the time was death, I truly wanted to die. As I stand on the edge of a bridge I prayed for help, I begged for something or someone to help me I was broken.
3 days later I ended up in a treatment centre where my road to recovery started!!
Today I sit here 4 years clean and sober, with a life beyond my wildest dreams!! Today i have a great knowledge of the illness of addiction and myself.
I am proof to every young man and woman out there that recovery is possible!”
ABOUT THE HOST
Daniel O’Reilly
Daniel O’Reilly is one of the UK’s Largest Influencers, a comedian, actor, musician, viral video star and social influencer. With a portfolio of businesses Daniel enjoys a busy lifestyle mixed with business and pleasure. Daniel is a father to two beautiful girls and enjoys spending quality time with them and his wife Shelley. With 2022 being a busy year, Daniel sold out his O2 stand-up show, released his British movie 'The Last Heist' and is currently preparing for the upcoming release of his other film 'Miss The Kiss'. Daniel is a creative through and through, with a passion to strive in everything he does. Daniel is looking forward to the release of his podcast 'Menace 2 Sobriety' in 2023, his long-term position on GB News, Headliners, and the growing slate of films in the works with his production company, HYPRR.
PODCAST DESCRIPTION
Daniel O'Reilly's newest venture sees the creation of his Menace 2 Sobriety podcast, a series of relaxed and open conversations with different guests and varied experiences.
After recently being diagnosed with severe ADHD and beginning his sobriety again, Daniel also set up a page on Facebook and Instagram called 'Men And Their Emotions' (M.A.T.E) an accessible, open and supportive group for MEN to post their feelings, thoughts and current life issues. Upon seeing the responses from men around the world to some of the posts on the group he was blown away and continues to be touched by the kindness and support offered by strangers. This all led to Daniel wanting to start up his own podcast and invite guests to join him in opening up about past experiences and talk about all things mental health, family & sobriety.
The podcast will see Daniel and his interesting guests' sharing their personal stories and learning experiences that they hope will help other people; whether it encourages one person to ask for help, talk to family about their struggles with getting sober/clean, or realise that they aren't alone. The Menace 2 Sobriety podcast has been created by Daniel to help people fight their own gremlins.
