A SUICIDAL young man has told how Greenock's Jericho House pulled him back from the brink and turned his life around from drug addiction to hope.

The 22-year-old - who only wanted to be identified as 'Jordan' - told the Telegraph about his journey as the Bank Street rehab unit opened its doors to the public to mark National Recovery Month.

Jordan said: "My life was miserable, very unmanageable. I was very self-centred, very anxious and depressed. My whole life was consumed around using.

"I would have suicidal thoughts but was scared of dying but I just wanted to go to sleep for a long time hoping when I woke up things would be better."

Jordan says that Jericho is more than just giving up drugs or drink but finding out the underlying causes of his unhappiness.

He said: "It's about having a fulfilled life without drugs. It was one thing putting down the drugs and alcohol but another finding out what was going on up in my head.

"I started using when I was 13 years old, I experimented with anything from weed to heroin, cocaine, speed and alcohol. Anything I could get my hands on."

Jericho took part in the Recovery Opens Doors programme which saw several organisations showcase the work they do.

The house, which is based on abstinence, supports men with their battles against drug and alcohol abuse, helping them to turn their lives around.

Jericho manager Michael Trail said: "The aim of the open day is for people with an addiction or any supporter workers to visit us and find out how the unit works.

"It's basically to let people know what it's like here at Jericho and blow any myths surrounding addiction and recovery out of the water by speaking to people who have gone through it themselves."

The men's house has accommodation for 18 people and each person is individually assessed and has a support plan to address the causes of their addiction.

Jordan said he was very lucky to have a supportive family who never gave up on him.

He said: "I was very fortunate, my mum works in addictions and had an understanding. I put my family under a lot of stress, constantly turning up at my flat bring food, they wouldn't lend me any money. They fairly stuck by me."

Jordan said his dream for the future is simple, to be a productive member of society and to have piece of mind.

Jericho manager Michael said: "It is so much better for people to hear the lived experience of people in their own voice. It is the language coming from the heart."

He also said that if anyone is experiencing problems who live in Inverclyde, they could be fast-tracked to be accommodated in Jericho House.

At present there is no-one from Inverclyde in the unit.

If anyone wants further information they should call 01475 741950 or for the women's house, 01475 742383, emailjerichosociety@gmail.com