A FORMER drug addict is being given a second chance in life by a company in Ellesmere Port.

Chris Sullivan, 40, was brought up with alcoholic parents and drug users in the family and was in care from the age of nine.

InBiz, in Whitby Road, supports small start-up businesses and is giving a helping hand to Chris as he bids to give drug addicts the one-to-one support they need to kick the habit.

By the age of 16, Chris was addicted to a variety of drugs. His addiction resulted in years of homelessness when he was a victim of crime and suffered terrible personal tragedies.

The loss of his mother and brother to drug-related illnesses gave him the determination to fight his own addiction, and 15 years on he is an established author with the launch of The Joy of Quitting Cannabis, a self-help book on how to combat addiction.

Chris approached InBiz for support on how to set up his business E&C Publishing.

At InBiz, Chris was assigned to a personal business adviser, Matt Dooley, who listened to his business idea and supported him with practical planning, organising advice on book-keeping, finance, marketing and tax assistance.

Chris said: “When you’re addicted to a substance, irrespective of what it is, whether drugs or alcohol, you are not always open to getting advice from people who have no way of knowing what you are going through.

“I truly believe that the reason of my success is largely attributed to being able to personally relate to the ‘issues’ associated with addiction.

“InBiz provided me with the confidence and the belief that I could break away from a life on benefits and be my own boss, I’m incredibly grateful for its support.”

His business offers support to people who suffer from addiction and includes free one-to-one sessions with Chris.

He runs regular workshops on the subject of addiction as well as working alongside charities and organisations which are committed to addressing the issue of addiction.

The royalties he receives from publishing rights in the UK and abroad mean he is no longer dependent on benefits.

Matt said: “I find it inspiring that after 15 years of research into the issues of drug addiction and his own experience of quitting drugs, he’s now helping others to help themselves through his book and workshops.

“The success of his first book is well deserved and I wish him all the best for the launch of his sequel book, How to Quit Cocaine.”