Dad who first took drugs age 10 now unrecognisable after 11 years clean
A father from Cork who was just 10 years old when he became hooked on drugs is unrecognisable after transforming his life. John Foskett, 31, revealed on social media that he was now 11 years clean and he reposted a startling before and after picture showing just how much he has changed.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror about his extraordinary journey, he explained what goes through his mind seeing the contrasting photographs today. He explained: 'What really catches me is my eyes. When I look at the picture before I stopped taking drugs, to this day, I can still feel the pain that I was trying to numb with drugs. That is gone today.
'I got clean for myself because, to be honest, my drug taking got so bad, and my mental health was so bad, it was just so hard to keep going, that when I finally got a taste of recovery, it was easier to recover than to continue taking drugs.
'But it was the people I met along the way, and the people I have now, so when I look at those pictures, I couldn't ever imagine myself going back.
'But at the same time, I can understand the person who is in the first picture. He was hurt, he was angry and he was in a lot of pain. And that person is gone now. And happily so.'
John started sniffing solvents and petrol as a little boy before this led to alcohol and hard drugs. It got so bad that he would wake up wishing he was dead before doing everything in his power to black out that feeling by taking drugs like benzodiazepine and cocaine.
Weighing just over seven stone and being incredibly gaunt, his desperate mother offered to get him some cider and tobacco, but there was one condition.
He had to promise to give an addiction counsellor in Cork one more chance in a last ditch attempt to avoid him meeting an early grave. This intervention, along with the support of three different treatment centres, meant John got clean, and he is now doing phenomenal work.
He explained: 'My recovery has given me everything back and now it is the time for my recovery to give back to other people and to give back to my community which is the place that gave me my recovery. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the services I got in Cork.'
John, who works with the homeless in Cork, has been using his social media platforms on TikTok and Instagram, pins4yoursinz, to try and reduce the stigma around men's mental health.
Speaking on what is men's mental health month, he said: 'The last 12 months have been a huge eye opener in terms of how my community has been affected by addiction, mental health, it is really bad at the moment. Ireland as a whole is really bad for such a small country.
'It feels like every week you are hearing of someone who has taken their own life or someone who has overdosed. In the last few weeks and few months, I was trying to think of what I can do to help.'
And painting a dark picture of what he has been learning, he continued: 'The feedback I got was that in Ireland when people are stepping forward for services, they are not getting them and there are waiting lists and it is a shame because the people who work in services in Ireland are amazing.'
However, he said the lack of government funding was leading to professionals being burnt out and vital services are losing staff members as a result, and he described it as a vicious circle.
He continued: 'We need to start treating mental health the same way we do physical health. Can you imagine if you broke both your legs and you were brought to A&E into the emergency department and you were told it will be about 8-10 weeks now before they can see you?
'That is happening. People are presenting in dire straits, ready to take their own lives, and there are people turned away from hospitals. And it just so happens then, in the city centre, all of our hospitals are near water, rivers… We have people coming straight out of hospitals and throwing themselves into rivers.'
John has been doing his bit by making videos where he tries to reduce the stigma around talking about mental health. And he said it seems to be helping, with many men opening up in the comments.
But given the dire situation in Ireland with people unable to even get professional help, we asked John for the one message he would give to someone struggling.
'Just hold on for one more day,' he urged. 'And lean on people you have around you. The biggest thing, I didn't keep myself clean over the last 11 years, it was the people around me. And when I was taking drugs and still in active addiction, I had people around me that I was able to open up and talk to and I did have attempts on my own life but I was able to open up and release some of the pressure.
'My message is just hold on. And talk to someone whether it is a brother, a friend, teacher, counsellor, your doctor, just talk to someone. And you might not get the services straight away – but you are opening the door.'
John heaped praise on his partner and young daughter for helping to make him the man he is today, and he gave a heartwarming insight into his life now.
He spoke about the satisfaction he gets from helping others in his work, and how the little things in life mean everything.
Giving an example, the Newcastle United supporter said: 'When I look at how bad I was with drugs, and this is a small thing, but I one day dreamed I would be able to go to Newcastle matches whenever I want!'
Laughing, he added: 'Last year, Jesus Christ, it actually got a bit out of hand where I was almost in Newcastle more than I was at home.'
But concluding, he mentioned the people who matter the most, and said: 'Just being able to be there for my family. I have an amazing partner and daughter and being present and people are not worried about me all the time.
'Like my mam and dad are not worried, are they going to get a phone call that I am found dead.
'When I look at my community now and I meet people, like mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters, there are not many of them who are now expecting that call from someone they love at the moment.'
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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This intervention, along with the support of three different treatment centres, meant John got clean, and he is now doing phenomenal work. He explained: 'My recovery has given me everything back and now it is the time for my recovery to give back to other people and to give back to my community which is the place that gave me my recovery. I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the services I got in Cork.' John, who works with the homeless in Cork, has been using his social media platforms on TikTok and Instagram, pins4yoursinz, to try and reduce the stigma around men's mental health. Speaking on what is men's mental health month, he said: 'The last 12 months have been a huge eye opener in terms of how my community has been affected by addiction, mental health, it is really bad at the moment. Ireland as a whole is really bad for such a small country. 'It feels like every week you are hearing of someone who has taken their own life or someone who has overdosed. In the last few weeks and few months, I was trying to think of what I can do to help.' And painting a dark picture of what he has been learning, he continued: 'The feedback I got was that in Ireland when people are stepping forward for services, they are not getting them and there are waiting lists and it is a shame because the people who work in services in Ireland are amazing.' However, he said the lack of government funding was leading to professionals being burnt out and vital services are losing staff members as a result, and he described it as a vicious circle. He continued: 'We need to start treating mental health the same way we do physical health. Can you imagine if you broke both your legs and you were brought to A&E into the emergency department and you were told it will be about 8-10 weeks now before they can see you? 'That is happening. People are presenting in dire straits, ready to take their own lives, and there are people turned away from hospitals. And it just so happens then, in the city centre, all of our hospitals are near water, rivers… We have people coming straight out of hospitals and throwing themselves into rivers.' John has been doing his bit by making videos where he tries to reduce the stigma around talking about mental health. And he said it seems to be helping, with many men opening up in the comments. But given the dire situation in Ireland with people unable to even get professional help, we asked John for the one message he would give to someone struggling. 'Just hold on for one more day,' he urged. 'And lean on people you have around you. The biggest thing, I didn't keep myself clean over the last 11 years, it was the people around me. And when I was taking drugs and still in active addiction, I had people around me that I was able to open up and talk to and I did have attempts on my own life but I was able to open up and release some of the pressure. 'My message is just hold on. And talk to someone whether it is a brother, a friend, teacher, counsellor, your doctor, just talk to someone. And you might not get the services straight away – but you are opening the door.' John heaped praise on his partner and young daughter for helping to make him the man he is today, and he gave a heartwarming insight into his life now. He spoke about the satisfaction he gets from helping others in his work, and how the little things in life mean everything. Giving an example, the Newcastle United supporter said: 'When I look at how bad I was with drugs, and this is a small thing, but I one day dreamed I would be able to go to Newcastle matches whenever I want!' Laughing, he added: 'Last year, Jesus Christ, it actually got a bit out of hand where I was almost in Newcastle more than I was at home.' But concluding, he mentioned the people who matter the most, and said: 'Just being able to be there for my family. I have an amazing partner and daughter and being present and people are not worried about me all the time. 'Like my mam and dad are not worried, are they going to get a phone call that I am found dead. 'When I look at my community now and I meet people, like mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters, there are not many of them who are now expecting that call from someone they love at the moment.' For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@ visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
