Ian Young · Addiction Consultant
I’ve been there.
Thirteen years of addiction. Twenty-five years of recovery. Now I help others find their way out — as an interventionist, an author, and Managing Director of Holina Global.
Start a confidential conversation.
As featured in
My Story
The fall. The turn. The work.
London-born, I lost thirteen years to IV cocaine, heroin and alcohol — chaos, homelessness, the lot. In March 2001, aged twenty-nine, I got sober. Two years later I started helping others do the same, and I never stopped.
“I’m not a therapist who read about it. I’m the man who lived it.”
Since then: Sober Services in 2008, Sober Academy in 2015, co-founding EARS in 2017, and today leading Holina Global’s recovery destinations across Thailand and Cyprus.
The Book — Free, Always
It’s Not About Me!
Confessions of a Recovered Outlaw Addict. The whole story — no varnish — in five parts:
- IAddiction — the early years
- IIAddiction — the later years
- IIIAddiction — the dying years
- IVRecovery — rehab
- VRecovery — onwards
Watch
Interviews & talks
The Sonya Morton Firth Show — Part 1
Getting Sober and Finding Purpose
Listen
Twenty years of carrying the message
Recorded live at conventions and in conversations — recovery, in my own voice.
Ian's full speaker tape at the Cocaine Anonymous World Convention, introduced as “Ian from England”.
“Ian from England” — the full speaker tape
A convention talk shared with the Cocaine Anonymous fellowship in Vancouver.
A convention talk shared with the Cocaine Anonymous fellowship in Vancouver.
Sober Empowerment
A recorded conversation with Harriet Waley-Cohen and Janey Lee Grace on recovery and sober empowerment.
What I Do
Three ways I serve
Private Consulting
Interventions, recovery strategy and consulting for families and treatment providers — setting standards since 2008.
Sober Services
Professional addiction services — interventions, companions, coaching, transport — across the UK, Europe and beyond.
Holina Global
As Managing Director I lead the Holina family of treatment and recovery destinations across Thailand and Cyprus.
Kind Words
Don’t just take my word for it
Ian introduced me to some unbelievable people who were so honest about their experiences. The whole experience was unbelievably moving — he really did make what I thought impossible, possible.
Zawe Ashton · ActressHe gave me something during that ten-minute call that had been taken from me over years… he gave me the gift of hope. Thank you Ian, for being a key component in my recovery.
Kevin JaffriesI laughed, I cried and mostly I was amazed about Ian Young and how he grew through his journey to become a transformational leader in Europe.
Marie DiamondGet in touch
I’d love to hear from you
Every message lands with me personally. Whether it’s about your own situation, a loved one, or a professional enquiry — start the conversation. I read everything, and I reply myself.