He had a steady job, a partner and an outwardly-respectable lifetstyle - but Dan Robinson was a secret drug addict who fell into £10,000-worth of debt. And as his habit spiralled out of control, the now-31-year-old was left homeless, in financial ruin and with plummeting mental health. Birmingham-based Dan's plight reached a critical point when he was thrown out by his former partner and parents, leading to several suicide attempts before he finally decided to seek support at the age of 28. READ MORE: Worst Birmingham street for parking fines named as 2,300 get tickets Four years on, he is engaged and a stepfather to a three-year-old girl and has dedicated his career to helping others overcome their addictions as a recovery worker for With You, a drug and alcohol support charity. Dan's story has echoes of former Olympic cycling champion Sir Bradley Wiggins, who said earlier this month that his son feared he would be found dead because of his post-career cocaine addiction. After a seemingly-idyllic childhood and a "nice family life", Dan's life took a dark turn at 11 when he said he was sexually assaulted by a stranger at a train station on his way to school. He said the 'shame and fear' of being perceived as "weak" led him to conceal his issues. And he remembered how he saw people drinking and appearing joyful, which prompted him to secretly access his father's liquor cabinet, describing his initial experience with alcohol as feeling "like a warm comfort blanket". He confessed: "It took some of that pain away and stopped me feeling things. I guess that would be where my love affair with alcohol started." From there, Dan began to drink regularly and by the age of 16, he was smoking cannabis. His substance use escalated at the University of Lincoln, where he pursued a business degree and delved into more potent drugs, including stimulants, with cocaine his preferred choice despite its cost. At the height of his addiction in his mid-twenties, Dan admitted to using alcohol and drugs "all day, every day". He described the progression of his addiction as "like a snowball effect. Then it suddenly gathers so much momentum, it falls off a hill." Despite his challenges, Dan managed to maintain high management positions, although their demands exacerbated his drug use and unresolved "emotional baggage". To escape, Dan would indulge in drinking and partying, often missing work due to hangovers or being under the influence. A once-promising rugby career came to an abrupt end following the discovery of his cocaine use, and his professional life deteriorated as his dependency grew. He found himself indebted to banks and dealers for more than £10,000. He said: "The only time I ever felt something was when I was using or drinking. "I was really miserable and hated life. I blamed everyone else and everything else for the way I was rather than taking responsibility." A turning point came when a friend he owed money to intervened, helping Dan into supported accommodation in Telford. Through counselling, he confronted the abuse from his past that he felt was preventing him from moving forward. Eight months into recovery, he began volunteering and went on to become a recovery worker at the charity, drawing on his own experiences to assist others. Today, Dan enjoys social life, recently celebrating on a stag do in Cardiff, and has been sober since August 10, 2021. He said: "When I got into recovery, I had nothing - my family had had enough of me, my partner had left me, I had no job, I had no money - now I've got a fiancée and my family relationships are the best they have ever been. "We're getting married next year. I'm heavily involved in her three-year-old daughter's life. "I get to play rugby. I've just signed a contract to go to semi-professional rugby next year. "I've built up all those things, and I don't want to lose them. "So why would I take the risk of seeing if I could have a drink or use again? It's not worth it." A spokesperson from With You said: "If Dan's story has hit home, and you're worried about yourself or someone else, we can help. "Our services are free and non-judgmental, and our expert staff are ready to provide you with the support that you need. "You can contact us by visiting our website at wearewithyou.org.uk, and using our anonymous webchat service to speak to a trained recovery worker 9am-9pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm at the weekend."