I phoned to learn about Intervention – a word that conjured up terrible images. It was an emotionally fraught time. After just one phone call I had clicked with John, been reassured about the 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.”
A. Whittaker September 2011
“Ian Young and his team at Sober Services have delivered a service that has been far better then 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.”
Production Co-ordinator. – an International TV & Film Production Team (maintaining their client’s anonymity)
“My name is Lea, and I was suffering from addiction to alcohol and cocaine.
I had desperately tried to stop, but just could not.
It got to a point where I was scared that I would die.
I knew that if I did not get away to receive professional help, I would probably end up dead.
I live in Luxembourg and I had no clue where to go.
I got in touch with Sober Services and spoke to John McCann.
I told him I needed to find a rehab immediately and that I had to leave in the next few days, otherwise I knew I would not have the courage to go.
John said he would help find me a rehab that was best suited for me, and he kept in touch with me each hour to let me know what was happening.
That afternoon John had found me a place in a rehab in South Africa.
From that point on and until I left 4 days later, John kept in contact with me, providing me with the emotional support I so deperately needed.
Today I am 8 months clean and my life has comppetely changed.
Today I am finally free to be me, to be a mother, a wife and a friend.
I am so grateful for what John and Sober Services did for me.
Without them, I’m not sure I would be who I am today.
I received so much care and support when I needed it the most.
So thank you!!!”
“Dear Sober Services,
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the report you sent through and for the service that you provided.
We were very concerned that my brother-in-law would find travelling alone between London and Cape Town very difficult at such an early stage in his recovery. We realised that the best thing to do was to arrange for someone to travel with him and Lifeworks recommended Sober Service’s transport service to us.
From the very first contact, Sober Services were brilliant. It was a huge relief to find someone offering exactly the service that we needed. It was also very reassuring talking to you and a great comfort to know that my brother-in-law was in such safe and experienced hands.
Thank you for taking so much time and care to plan everything with me. I’m sure that it made a huge difference to my brother-in-law to have you there and it certainly was very important to his family and friends.
In the nicest possible way, I hope that we never have need of your services again, but I would be very happy to recommend you to anyone in a similar position. I will of course let you know how he gets on. In the meantime, it has genuinely been a pleasure dealing with you.
With many thanks again and best wishes for the future.”
Brigid C.
28.05.2011
“I want to thank you very much for your time, effort and support through this very difficult time – you have been amazing and it’s been very useful receiving your input. You definitely made me feel better as seemed to be able to relate very well to everything I said which also made me feel that we weren’t alone in this and weren’t peculiar or anything but that these things do happen to normal families!
Maybe we will meet one day, but hopefully under nicer circumstances!!”
Janine – South Africa
“To whom it may concern.
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
Dave W.
“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”
Elliot Lester – Director of Blitz for Lionsgate UK
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.
Zawe Ashton – Actor and Writer
19th August 2010
To Whom it May Concern
Re: Sober Services
“We are happy to confirm that we have been successfully commissioning transportation and client relocation services from Sober Services since January 2009. We have always found them to be reliable and efficient in managing our, sometimes, unpredictable and chaotic clientele, and one of the most cost-effective solutions to a reoccurring challenge for our multi location organisation. Our admissions team work closely with the Sober Services team and this allows us both to offer a professional and effective service which we believe to be of paramount importance in our client’s recovery journey. Whilst we do not endorse any outside agency we are happy to confirm that we have every intention to continue working with Sober Services for the foreseeable future.
Gavin Cooper
Managing Director
“We have used Sober Services on a number of occasions and have found them to be extremely reliable, flexible and courteous. They have enabled us to ensure that clients have arrived with us in a safe, stable and comfortable manner, allaying the anxiety that can be felt by a client in having to organise trains, taxis etc. I have no hesitation in recommending this service to other treatment providers or similar services.
Sue Allchurch
Business Development Director
The Linwood Group
“On 15th July 2010 Sober Services transportation offered us a very good service.
They were efficient and considerate in their duty.
We would certainly use them again.”
Pauline Taylor
Assessments & Admissions Department
Broadway Lodge
“After getting your number from a concerned friend, I thought our conversation would be short. Part of me hoped that you’d say I didn’t need help and it would all work out. The other part was exhausted, beaten and ashamed, silently screaming for something to fix me, to take away the craving.
As I listened I was taken back your openness and honesty. I identified with so much of your story. That hope you gave me, persuaded me admit to myself that I needed help.
It’s been almost a year since that conversation, I now have a sense of freedom, peace and contentment which back then I couldn’t have imagined.
Life just keeps getting better. Thank you for your help and inspiration.
I look forward to your book in the hope that it may help others not lucky enough to have your number.”
J.anon
“We have been utilizing the Sober Transportation services for over 18 months.
At all times we are very impressed with their rapid call to action and availability at very short notice to collect a client anywhere (within the British Isles and Europe) and transport them safely at the agreed location with accurately timed arrival.
The Referral Network fully supports Sober Services for their professional approach and their results. The industry is a better place for their services.”
Zuma Smith
Team Manager
“We have been using sober services virtually since there 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.”
Michael Garnham
