JP Beckett shares his journey from addiction to hope at the Macari Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, where he’s finding support and a fresh start.
At 42, JP moved to Stoke-on-Trent hoping to reconnect with family. Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out, but he found shelter at the Macari Centre after three tough days on the streets.
He used to have a stable life until addiction took over at just 21. After moving to Yorkshire, he tried heroin with his sister, and it spiraled from there.
JP shared, “I grew up in Bristol but was born in Stoke. I moved back here after living in Bristol until I was 21.” He left school early and started working in a hotel, but everything changed when he got hooked on drugs.
He recalled, “Once I tried it, I was done. It’s the devil’s drug. Just look at the people on it.” After being kicked out by his mom, he ended up homeless, even though he found a job later.
His brother, who’s never touched drugs, once cried when he saw JP, saying, “You’re killing yourself.” It hit JP hard.
JP first came to the Macari Centre in 2016 but faced setbacks, including a stint in prison. He humorously recounted headbutting a door at Ryman’s while on monkey dust, which got him in trouble.
After prison, he bounced around shelters before returning to the Macari Centre. He understands why people turn to drugs when living on the streets.
“It’s tough out there. You can’t face reality. You need something to escape,” he said. He knows addiction is a lifelong battle, but he’s determined to stay clean.
With the support of the Macari Centre, JP feels hopeful. “Being here has been great. There are rules, but they help me focus on getting better.”
Now, he has food and shelter, and he’s aiming for his own flat soon. JP is optimistic about his future and grateful for the chance to rebuild his life.
