Stephen Keers Interview. Locked up at 14 in mental institution over 20 years of recovery

Steve describes growing up on a rough estate in Hartlepool, a working class town on the north-eastern coast of England.
Being the youngest, Steve was sometimes pushed around by his older sisters, which toughened him up. He hung around with his sisters’ boyfriends who were naturally older than him and made an impression on him. Steve looked up to these boys and sought to be like them. He became embroiled in their drug-taking culture and found himself injecting amphetamines at the age of fourteen.
From an early age, Steve resented authority, hating the feeling of being controlled or told what to do. His rebellious behaviour brought him into conflict with the authorities and he was detained as a minor in a mental health unit and later in young offenders institutions and prisons.
Steve’s substance abuse began with inhaling solvents and quickly escalated to other drugs. As his habit became more expensive, Steve progressed from shoplifting to robbery and burglary to fund it.
Steve’s mum stuck by him throughout his troubled life, never turning her back on him. She travelled the country to visit him in prison, and endured 6 heartbreaking Christmases without him in his formative years.
At his worst, Steve was taking heroin, crack cocaine and anything he could get his hands on to change the way he felt.
The turning point for Steve came during his last prison term when his sisters impressed upon him the heartbreak that his mother was enduring as a result of his behaviour. Steve broke down and determined to change his ways.
Steve engaged with prison services and undertook all educational courses that were offered to him. He distanced himself from the friends who were holding him back. After leaving prison, he got a job pulling cables, and made work his sole focus.
A year ago, Steve and his friend Craig set up Community Links a charity which helps those suffering with drug dependency and mental health issues to access recovery services. Steve describes Craig as having “the gift of the gab”, while Steve is the quiet one, but he had plenty to say when he spoke to the team and we loved interviewing him.
Thank you, Steve, for your example and for turning your own negative experience into a positive and doing so much to help others in your community. #recovery

[@Pyramidiot-oi9rx]

Good interview , proud of you Ste MarkC.

[@charliemorrison1482]

Thanks, Stephen, for this terrific interview. There are some very raw moments in your story, but ultimately to be where you are now doing what you are doing in your local community by changing other people lives. Over 20 years of Recovery for me is story of inspiration ✨️

[@chuxstaUK]

Nice one buddy, very moving interview. I enjoy working with you and you were definitely living the dream today. 😘

[@craigwhitelock5656]

1 ov the best men about and my brother for life 👌💪👏🔗💎

[@charliemorrison1482]

@craigwhitelock5656 Two great chaps changing people live in community links

[@battleraven5984]

I really need to come see you and Mel soon buddy. Its been too long. Signed pinto