A Coatbridge dad is using his passion for boxing to help others who are struggling with addiction.
Samuel Buchanan was a sporting star on the rise when his life spiralled out of control after he was hooked on drink and drugs.
The aspiring boxer was locked into a decade of 'carnage' where he hurt the loved ones that supported him. The addiction eventually led to his family telling him to leave.
During that dark period Samuel considered taking his own life as the drink and drugs took control. However, the 39-year-old turned everything around after a run in with the authorities.
READ MORE: Lanarkshire man found dead in Lanzarote alleyway after suffering heatstroke
He told Glasgow Live: "I threw my boxing career away. I tried to get back into it but the drink and drug use got worse as the years went on.
"I went off the rails after I lost my mum, drinking and taking cocaine every day, causing absolute chaos. It got to the point where my family said to me that I needed to go so that's when I moved to Eastbourne.
"For about five years I was still doing drink and drugs, I was intoxicated all the time. I never accepted that I had a problem because I would always go to work and the gym.
"After moving down south, trouble I had in Scotland with the police caught up with me five years later and that was the turning point.
"Throughout my 10 years of carnage I wanted to take my own life at some points.
"At that turning point I had two young kids and I knew that if I didn't change I'd end up in prison or dead.
"When I came back from court in Airdrie I stood in the garden and asked God if he was real could he make this stop and I prayed. Ever since that day I've been clean and sober, but what works for me may not work for everyone."
After a decade of pain, Samuel is now a pillar of the community in Eastbourne. During lockdown he started an open air boxing club to help those going through their own addiction struggles.
Now, he runs the Hailsham Boxing Club, which has gone from strength to strength.
The 39-year-old said: "We started training outside during covid because all the public buildings were shut.
"I ended up opening up my own gym three years ago. We use exercise and challenges to help support people with their recovery.
"A lot of people say that if you have an addictive personality you'll swap one addiction for another, so my addiction now is to help people through similar experiences I had using boxing.
"We have six local boxing champions from the gym who have all gone through recovery.
"I also got back in the ring after 21 years at York Hall, I'm even fighting for a British championship soon
"I feel like there are a lot of people with addiction, like myself, who still have a lot to give."
Stepping back between the ropes was a massive moment for the boxing enthusiast and it has given him the chance to revive his once promising sporting career.
The dad-of-three said: "It was a bit surreal to be honest.
"I didn't think I still had the skills I had when I was young but I surprised myself.
"As soon as I had my first fight a year ago I got the bug back again."
Samuel once thought he would end up in prison or worse but he is now helping those who have addiction, something he never expected.
He said: "I never thought I'd get here.
"Sometimes I need to pinch myself to see how far I've come. I don't like to take credit for what I do it's just about pointing people in the right direction.
"There is a lot of stigma surrounding addiction and it can put people off seeking help to get out the hole that they're in.
"There are people who empathise with what you're going through."
As part of the journey to supporting those in recovery from addiction, Hailsham Boxing Club found SMART Recovery, a free self-help, mutual support programme that helps people work together to examine or change addictive behaviours. They now host SMART recovery sessions at the club. Sam is backing the charity's global fundraising campaign Unite for Recovery which is calling for people to sign up or donate to stamp out addiction related stigma. Further information here: https://www.uniteforrecovery.org.uk/
READ NEXT:
Tribute paid to Paisley boy with 'big, loving heart' found dead in flat by council director
'Dangerous' Glasgow roundabout to be removed to ease congestion
Lanarkshire man found dead in Lanzarote alleyway after suffering heatstroke
Glasgow Airbnb 'party flat' owner banned from listing amid neighbour misery
Lanarkshire carer struck off for string of 'abusive and neglectful' incidents
