Today, Nahim manages four services across Lancaster, leading teams and supporting people on their own recovery journeys.
It is something he is proud of, but when he looks back on how far he has come, work is only part of the picture.
The achievement that means the most to him is maintaining his own recovery and rebuilding his life.
Recovery has helped him strengthen relationships with his family and become a more present father, son and brother. It has given him back a sense of purpose, self-worth and identity, while allowing him to continue growing as a person.
“Recovery means getting my life back,” he says.
For Nahim, that means much more than overcoming addiction. It has meant regaining his dignity, self-respect and health. It has allowed him to rebuild relationships with family and friends, return to work and take an active role in society again.
“It has allowed me to become an active part of society again and to be the father, brother, and son that I was unable to be during my addiction.”
As his recovery progressed, Nahim began building a new career. He started as a Housing Support Worker and went on to become a Project Coordinator, managing four services across Lancaster.
Alongside work, he invested in his own education. He returned to learning, achieving qualifications in Maths and English and completing a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.
These experiences helped shape the way he works today.
Having faced many of the challenges of recovery himself, Nahim understands the barriers people can encounter. His lived experience helps him build trust and connect with people without judgement.
“I wanted to use my own experiences to help others make positive changes in their lives.”
That desire to help others is what drew him to recovery services. He is passionate about supporting people to recognise their strengths, achieve their goals and build the futures they want for themselves.
Seeing that progress is one of the most rewarding parts of his role.
He is particularly proud of the people he has supported into employment and of colleagues who have used their own lived experience to build meaningful careers.
“Knowing that I have played a part in supporting their growth and success is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.”
Having recently celebrated nine years in recovery, Nahim says his recovery journey continues to influence every aspect of his life.
He added: “Most importantly, recovery has brought happiness and contentment back into my life. Today, I feel able to stand tall, take responsibility for my actions, and be accountable for the person I am.”
