Andrew began using drugs at only 13 years old. He had grown up in a home where addiction was normal, and every member of the family was affected by heroin. His environment shaped his direction, and addiction took hold quickly.

Nicky’s story began very differently. She was raised in a Christian home, surrounded by faith and ministry. Yet, despite the contrast in their upbringing, they both ended up walking the same destructive path.

The two met when Andrew was 13 and Nicky was 15. At that time, Andrew was experiencing a brief spell of sobriety, and the two immediately connected. They began dating later that year. On the surface everything seemed good, but beneath it both carried pain, trauma and unspoken struggles that would eventually surface.

They married young and wanted desperately to give their future children a better life than the ones they had known. But addiction was already tightening its grip. By the time their first daughter was born, they were using more frequently, and it quickly became unmanageable. Their second child—a son—was born four years later. Both children arrived prematurely and required specialised care. The stress, guilt and pressure only deepened their need to escape, and their substance use rapidly escalated.

They drifted from house to house, town to town, trying to outrun their problems and hide the truth. They pushed away anyone who came too close. 

Andrew had once promised himself he would never raise children the way he was raised, yet addiction led him to repeat those same patterns. They were now on methadone scripts while also using whatever street drugs they could find. Nicky began drinking heavily. Life had become unrecognisable.

By 2015, they had 3 children. Family and authorities began to intervene. Their ability to care for their children was questioned. They tried—many times—to fix things on their own, but change never lasted. In 2019, everything reached breaking point. Social services removed the children for their safety. Nicky’s family stepped in and took responsibility for them, sparing them from entering full-time foster care.

This shattered them. Completely broken, grieving and desperate for change, they were encouraged by family and friends to seek help. They were introduced to two rehabilitation programmes —Benaiah for Nicky and Sunnybrae for Andrew. With fear and hesitation, but also a flicker of hope, they applied.

Right after Andrew submitted his application, he learned that his father had passed away—another life claimed by addiction. Yet even in grief, Andrew chose recovery.

In August 2019, Nicky and Andrew left for Benaiah and Sunnybrae, each beginning their own journey of healing and withdrawal. No one could have predicted that only months later the world would shut down due to COVID-19. 

Lockdown meant programmes, family contact and future plans all changed dramatically overnight. But the staff adapted, supported them relentlessly, and gave them space to face their past, their trauma, and their pain.

With clear minds and mending hearts, they began to believe in recovery—truly believe. They encountered God again, not just as a concept or childhood memory, but as a living presence who had never left them, even in the darkest places.

By the end of their programme, Andrew and Nicky had also reconnected with each other. Their relationship—once built on chaos and survival—was rebuilt on honesty, faith and genuine love. They fell for each other again, but this time with clarity and purpose.

Today, they now celebrate six years of recovery.

They returned home and slowly rebuilt trust with their children, family and community. Over time, as their transformation became visible, others started to believe in them too. Social work eventually granted them full custody of all three children, and today the family live together in their own home—whole, healthy, thriving.

Nicky and Andrew are both active in their church, serving in worship, children’s ministry and set-up teams. They say confidently that without God’s grace and mercy, they would not be where they are today. Their story inspired others, and from that inspiration came a new beginning. Together they co-founded South West Recovery Café, a community where people in recovery can find support, belonging and hope. 

Andrew now also works full-time as a Prison Recovery Development Officer, travelling across the Scottish prison estate to promote recovery, share lived-experience and prove by example that change is possible.

They often say: “Helping others recover helps us recover.”

Andrew: “I entered Sunnybrae looking for sobriety and found a recovery that restored everything.” (Isaiah 61:1-11)

Nicky: “I went in knowing about God — I left knowing God.” (Joel 2:25)

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