The path to recovery is never easy. It’s a fight – against the past, self-doubt and the urge to numb pain rather than face it. For Sonny, that fight started long before he ever stepped into a boxing ring. His battle with addiction and mental health took a lot from him. Now, 13 months sober, he’s turning his story into something bigger.  

“I started using drugs when I was 12,” Sonny shares. “At first, it was just experimenting – smoking weed, drinking, trying to fit in. But even then, I was already trying to escape something, even if I didn’t fully understand what. What started as fun quickly turned into a need.” 

By his teenage years, Sonny’s substance use had escalated. “I lost control. I was lying, stealing, pushing people away, doing whatever I had to do to keep using. My mental health spiralled – shame, guilt and self-hatred. But instead of facing it, I just used more to numb it. It was a vicious cycle that felt impossible to break.” 

Sonny’s experience reflects a much wider issue. In Scotland, mental health challenges and substance use among young people are deeply intertwined. According to Public Health Information for Scotland, nearly 20% of surveyed 15-year-olds took drugs at least once a week or more. Over half of girls and around two-fifths of boys had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. At the same time, 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14, making this a dangerous and harmful combination. 

For years, Sonny told himself he’d stop eventually, but addiction doesn’t work that way. 

“There were moments when I wanted to stop. I tried to get clean on my own, but nothing ever lasted. I would always find a reason to go back, telling myself I’d figure it out later. But ‘later’ never came. 

“I hit rock bottom more times than I can count, but it wasn’t until I truly surrendered, when I admitted I couldn’t do it alone and reached out for help, things started to change.”

The hardest fight 

“Getting sober was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Sonny admits. “And staying sober is a daily commitment.”  

In the 13 months since achieving sobriety, he has faced countless challenges. “For so long, I used drugs and alcohol to numb pain, fear, shame – anything uncomfortable. In recovery, I had to relearn how to feel everything and not let it break me.” 

He also had to rebuild the life that addiction had torn apart. “Addiction left a lot of damage in its wake and while I’ve made progress, some things take time to heal. I had to rebuild my life and my relationships. There are moments of guilt and regret. I’ve had to learn to forgive myself and focus on the person I’m becoming, not just the person I was.” 

Boxing became a healthy outlet for his emotions and a big part of his journey. “Boxing gave me structure, discipline and a way to channel all the emotions I used to numb with substances. It helped me rebuild my confidence and gave me a sense of purpose. 

“Surrounding myself with people who truly understand – whether it’s in meetings or just friends who support my journey – has been life-changing.”

Fighting for those still struggling 

Now, Sonny is preparing for his next Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) match to raise money for Change Mental Health – a cause that couldn’t be closer to his heart. 

“Fundraising for Change Mental Health is personal to me because I know how addiction and mental health are deeply connected. So many people suffer in silence, feeling like there’s no way out. If I can use my journey – my struggles and my recovery – to raise awareness and support for those still in the darkness, then it’s all worth it.”