Ian Young and his team at Sober Services have delivered a service that has been far better than we could have ever hoped for. On the very first day I called Ian he was able to react to our situation immediately and had two people on the job that very afternoon. The level of advice, support, experience and resources that Sober Services provide is quite impressive.

This particular assignment had its own challenges… confidentiality and being able to adapt to constantly changing schedule were key! Sober Services fitted around our requirements perfectly and got the job done.

Hi, my name is Dave and I am an extremely happy customer of Sober Services. After 18months of continually failing to stay sober for more than two months I was somewhat baffled to why this was. Most of the time all was well, I would get through the first couple of weeks full of confidence, and then out of the blue would find myself relapsing at times of stress or at social events. On speaking to a friend she suggested I contact Ian, so I did. On meeting Ian for the first time I immediately felt very comfortable and at ease in his company. A week later I was due to go on business abroad, these certain trips were always my most vulnerable times (airports, business meetings etc.) so I decided to give sober services a try. Ian picked me up promptly in the very early hours of the morning (in a very nice comfortable car) and drove me to Heathrow airport. We chatted all the way to the airport and I was made to feel at ease before boarding my flight. Upon my return Ian was again prompt and returned me home safely. A couple of weeks later I had to attend a family function, (these were always big trigger points for me), and I invited Ian to accompany me. Ian introduced himself as a friend and was welcomed by all members of my family, and again I returned home safe and sober…. A few months have passed now and I’m still sober thanks to the help, genuine care and support from Ian and Sober Services. Many thanks

We employed Ian to offer cocaine addiction consultancy and training to our leading lady – Zawe Ashton, so that she could play the part of a policewoman with a drug habit. Ian did so much more than help her understand how to act like a cocaine addict, but over a number of sessions he went on to make suggestions regarding the complete psychology and behavioural patterns of an addicted person, which positively impacted the complete credibility of the film. I know that our movie benefitted greatly from Ian’s input and I will be recommending him and his Sober Consultancy services in other Lionsgate movie productions

Ian Young was an amazing influence in my life last year and has continued to be a wonderful support to me since. He helped me to research a film role I was determined to get right. It was the role of a police woman struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction. Ian introduced me to some unbelievable people who were so honest and open about their own experiences of addiction and rehabilitation.

The whole experience was unbelievably moving to me as a person and made the role in to something that exceeded all of my expectations as an actress. I knew, after my time with Ian researching, that I had to honour him and all the people who had given me their time in my performance. I am so grateful to all of them. I don’t care how the role is perceived as long as they and Ian gives it the thumbs up! That’s what matters.

Seeing the generosity, commitment and humour Ian brings to the people he works with is truly inspirational. He uses his own struggle and experience to help others through theirs. Not the kind of humanity you find every day. He is one of those people that makes things happen. All I had to do was ask if he could sort me out with some people to talk to and places to visit for research and it was done. He really did make what I thought to be the impossible, possible. I could not have done it without you Ian! Let’s hope the film does well, but most importantly, let’s hope all the people I met are happy and healthy and continue to thrive on the support you and people like you give them.

Thanks for being so generous and putting yourself on the line for a complete stranger. All the blessings in the world for all you put your hand to

We have been using sober services virtually since their inception in 2008. We have no hesitation in recommending their services to all those who think they may need them.

Our experience in working with them is first class, and so is their service concept and attitude.

We believe Sober Services are an intrinsic part of our success. Their ability to respond almost instantly is something we have not experienced before, and becomes a valuable resource when dealing with clients’ during a time of personal crisis.

We are proud to offer Sober Services as part of our structure.

It’s almost a year since I was first put in contact with you and what a year it has been!
I really just wanted to say a huge thank you again to you.
As well as making the trip to SA to collect Dad, the support you gave me throughout the hardest time in my life was beyond invaluable.
I think the work you and your team do is amazing and families who use your services are lucky to have that level of understanding and support.
I hope we don’t need to use your services again but to knowing you are there is reassurance enough for me!
Best wishes and thanks

“To any family feeling helpless, frustrated and like there is no way forward to help your alcoholic loved one, please phone Sober Services now.
There is a way forward. I phoned to learn about the Intervention – a word that conjured up terrible images.
It was an emotionally fraught time.

After just one phone call I had clicked with Ian (who took the call), been reassured about the Sober Intervention service on offer and, most importantly, been convinced that finally, finally, somebody understood our situation and had a clear way forward for us to help our Dad.

During the emotional rollercoaster week after that first phone call, knowing Sober Services were on hand, on our side and committed to working with us was like being wrapped in a security blanket. Suddenly, there was someone, a professional, available 24/7 to answer all our questions and provide both emotional and practical support.

If you have a loved one who is an alcoholic (drinking, recovering or any stage in between) and you need help, phone Sober Services.
It will be the single best thing you have ever done for yourself and your loved alcoholic.”

Dear Ian,

It was around this time last year I contacted you and asked for your help providing an intervention to help me, my family, and most importantly my brother.
You found us all in a very dark place. My family was torn apart and ruined. We struggled to see a light at the end of the tunnel, and all felt truly lost. After battling with my brothers addiction for nearly 10 years, after trying every avenue and failing time and time again, we had hit rock bottom, desperate to help him but finally accepting defeat.

But now after your successful Sober Intervention and residential rehab recommendation we are approaching my brothers one year anniversary.
One year of being clean and sober!
This is a sentence I cannot stop repeating to myself.
For each time I do, am left feeling astonishingly proud of my brother.
Proud of his achievement, who he has become and the path he is creating for himself.
This was something I not only thought was impossible, but has now created the foundation of my new relationship with him.

Ian, thank you for everything you have done for all of us.
We are a completely different family now, a happy one.

Thank you for giving me my brother back.

x

My daughter is an alcoholic and was on a downhill spiral. She had been in rehabs before but was unwilling to undergo further rehab treatment. I was deeply concerned about the traditional concept that the alcoholic has to reach ‘rock bottom’ before any meaningful treatment would work. This gambles that in the interim the alcoholic won’t die, cause irreversible damage to their body/mind and jeopardise their future by possibly having a criminal record, debts, losing their home etc.

Sober Services offered a different approach of ‘intervention’ before the alcoholic descends into the possible terrifying consequences mentioned above. The intervention process, which is explained in the Sober Services programme, whilst being very stressful for myself and my family, was effective in that despite my daughter’s initial strong resistance to further detox and rehab she ended up undergoing detox in the UK and rehab in South Africa.

Ian Young and his team at Sober Services were extremely helpful in:-
(1) the lead up to the actual intervention process
(2) participating in the intervention meeting with my daughter and family members
(3) choosing the right rehab as Ian has extensive knowledge of various rehab possibilities both domestically in the UK and abroad.
(4) putting together a programme to cover the post rehab situation for my daughter.

Throughout the process Ian was always contactable which was hugely important to myself and he gave advice to family members on the actions they needed to take as part of the intervention.

I appreciate there are no absolute guarantees that my daughter will remain alcohol free forever but I felt the intervention process at least offers her a good chance of living rather than the highly probable dire consequences of the ‘rock bottom’ approach.

Thank you for designing and coming to my family intervention in November 2017 with my Dad, Mother & brother David. It saved my life!
After going to Detox you sent me to Rehab in Suffolk & I stayed there for 9 months. I left in September 2018.
I’ve now relocated & am 22 months clean & sober. I work closely with my Fellowship Sponsor & I’ve been through the 12 steps with her. I am now sponsoring someone else & taking her through the Big Book.
I have my family back in my life & I surround myself with decent friends. I volunteer at a rehab and am being trained up as a support worker. I also work at the food bank in town.
I do a bit of service at 12 step meetings, taking the woman’s AA meeting & I have now just taken over as secretary at a CA meeting in town.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. Recovery has given me my life back & I’m happy for the first time ever, I’m so grateful to you for intervening and for the programmes of AA & CA.