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.

13yearsADDICTIONUntil March 2001
25yearsRECOVERYSober since March 2001
2008SOBER SERVICESFounded
2015SOBER ACADEMYFounded

As featured in

London · 1990
Ian Young smiling, sitting by the sea
Koh Phangan · Today

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.

“Uplifting and energising. Ian’s progress means that we can have hope in our lives. Well-done Ian Young.”— Steve G., reader review

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.

2007

Main Share at CAWS Cocaine Anonymous World Services Convention 2007 Kansas City.

Introduced as “Ian from England”.

2010

After Dinner Banquet Share in Vancouver, CANADA Cocaine Anonymous Convention

2021

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

01

Private Consulting

Interventions, recovery strategy and consulting for families and treatment providers — setting standards since 2008.

02

Sober Services

Professional addiction services — interventions, companions, coaching, transport — across the UK, Europe and beyond.

03

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 · Actress
“

He 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 Jaffries
“

I 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 Diamond

Get 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.

Ian Young smiling, sitting by the sea
Contact Ian