A drug addict has had his recovery charted by an independent documentary film maker.
University of Leicester graduate Jon Roberts' problems with addiction premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival, and has now gone onto screenings in New York and Cape Town, throwing the spotlight on drug and alcohol addiction.
Jon teamed up with filmmaker Nick Hamer to capture his life and work to become a recovery consultant, using his own experiences to change the lives of others.
The film, entitled 'Dear Albert' is a reference to Jon's street-side alter-ego and part of the elaborate lie he and other addicts wrap around themselves to hide the extent of their substance abuse.
It also depicts Jon's work as he supports others in the earliest stages of their rehabilitation to 'get well or die trying'; providing a hard-hitting and uniquely personal insight into the process of recovery.
Jon said: "In rehab, one of the things they asked me to do was write a letter saying goodbye to the addict within.
"Usually these letters start 'Dear Addict'. When I went back to read it I realised that I had written 'Dear Albert'. At that moment I started to understand what was really going on; that my drug use had become part of an elaborate lie. From that moment I decided that I didn't want to be Albert an addict anymore."
Since graduating from the foundation degree in Drug and Alcohol Counselling, Jon has been supported by the University of Leicester's career development service and others to develop the Dear Albert project and create a social enterprise of the same name.
Jon successfully secured a bursary and mentoring from the Enterprise Inc2 project at the University of Leicester by pitching his idea for a new recovery service. With the support of Enterprise Inc he has begun to build a recovery community in the city and develop new treatment programmes such as: 'You do the MAFs' (Mutual Aid Facilitation sessions) as well as offering recovery consultancy services across Leicestershire and beyond.
Documentary filmmaker Nick, who runs Leicester-based Intrepid Media, documents a range of social issues through his work.
He spoke of his passion for the Dear Albert project and its legacy, saying: "This project has been my passion for three years and I'm deeply involved in the lives of everyone featured in the film. I'm delighted that a new treatment service will be opening in Leicester this year - I'm on the board of trustees and it also shares its name with the film, 'Dear Albert'."
Jon is now continuing to expand his social enterprise, making an impact with recovery services and individuals across the region.
After its tour of several international film festivals, the 'Dear Albert' film will be made available for screenings at drug and alcohol treatment services, recovery communities, universities, prisons and rehabs in 2015
