In this episode of Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, Paul Haley shares his extraordinary journey from the depths of heroin and crack cocaine addiction to a position of national leadership within Change Grow Live. After a near-fatal injecting injury became his rock bottom, Paul made the courageous decision to rebuild his life - a decision that would ultimately shape his future and the lives of thousands of others.

Nearly two decades into recovery, Paul now serves as Change Grow Live’s National Service User Involvement Lead, using his lived experience to challenge stigma, influence policy, and embed the voices of people in treatment across the UK. His story is not just about abstinence - it is about reclaiming identity, finding meaning, and proving that lived experience is an asset capable of transforming entire systems.

This conversation explores resilience, purpose, and the power of turning personal pain into professional impact. Paul’s journey shows that recovery can lead not only to healing, but to leadership, innovation and lasting change.

In this episode:

• Heroin and crack cocaine addiction, collapse and near-fatal injecting injury
• The moment Paul decided to rebuild his life
• Two decades of recovery and personal transformation
• Why lived experience is essential in modern treatment systems
• Paul’s role as Change Grow Live’s National Service User Involvement Lead
• Challenging stigma and influencing national practice
• How recovery can lead to leadership, purpose and systemic change

Search terms: heroin recovery UK, crack cocaine recovery, lived experience leadership, addiction recovery stories, trauma and recovery, Change Grow Live, service user involvement.

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Believe in People is a platform for lived experience, recovery insight and honest conversation. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or working on the frontline, this podcast exists to inform, challenge stigma and inspire change.

If you or someone you know needs support with drugs, alcohol, housing, domestic abuse, or mental and physical wellbeing, free and confidential help is available via Change Grow Live:

📩 Contact: robbie@believeinpeoplepodcast.com
🎵 Music: “Jonathan Tortoise” - Christopher Tait (Belle Ghoul / Electric Six)

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🎙️ Facilitator: Matthew Butler
🎛️ Producer: Robbie Lawson
🏢 Network: ReNew