Paddy’s story is a reminder that addiction doesn’t come from one place, one background, or one type of childhood.
Born and raised in Skerries, Paddy describes a good, stable upbringing. No major childhood trauma. Four sisters. A shy young man who loved music and formed a heavy metal band while still in secondary school.
College, America, freedom — and then drugs. What began as confidence and escape quickly turned into addiction, chaos, and coming home broken. Paddy speaks openly about alcohol, cocaine, heroin, opiates, the law, treatment, and recovery.
What makes this episode powerful is the contrast. We grew up in very different communities, which meant our exposure to drugs looked very different. For me, escape was often about environments. For Paddy, it was about countries — believing distance could fix what was going on inside. Yet we ended up in the same place, asking the same questions.
Now sober for several years, Paddy has returned to education, works supporting vulnerable young people, and speaks honestly about therapy, ongoing recovery, and the work it takes to stay well. Narcotics Anonymous is a big part of his life.
Different beginnings. Same truth.
Addiction doesn’t discriminate.
