About Me – My Biography

June 2021.

Ian Young is a man who wears many hats but no masks (except when required due the current global COVID19 pandemic), who uses his experiences to see how he can benefit others, be that through his businesses or in a personal capacity. He’s always happy to help.

Ian has around 20 years working around the world in the Addiction Treatment Industry, successfully touching the lives of thousands of addicted people and their families, showing them a new way to live and encouraging them to rebuild their lives without their destructive patterns or influences, personally practicing what he preaches when it comes to permanent recovery.

Ian is the founder of two large rehabilitation facilities that changed the way Residential Rehab was delivered in the UK and across Europe, and has since gone on to create another Rehab in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, and to co-found The PARC ~ Phuket Addiction Recovery Clinic, in Southern Thailand, which remains one of his existing services.

His Private Practice has been his main focus since 2008 where he has built his name and reputation as one of the leading Global Interventionists and Sober Companions, through his brand Sober Services Global, which offers bespoke packages of treatment to individuals and their families ravaged by addiction. Typically his clients are private paying families, or afflicted individuals from the Entertainment Industry (actors and musicians), Models, or Athletes.

But it wasn’t always like that… Early 2001, aged 29, after 13 years of chronic drug addiction, alcoholism, homelessness, unemployment and living as an Outlaw, he discovered a permanent way out of his debilitating lifestyle and through hard work and a vision, built himself a world filled with the riches and royalties life has to offer – addiction free! In fact, Ian is often heard talking about his quality of life being beyond anything he could possibly have dreamed off previously.

Ian is a qualified Trainer and has written his own Certified Training programs – 1) Sober Interventions, 2) Sober Companions & Recovery Coaching, and coming soon 3) Sober Practitioners, which he delivers through Sober Academy, which was the very first Training company outside of North America to be offering trainings to such a standard of Certification.
Ian has also written his own Sober Coaching Workbook which he uses as a tool for his clients to work from, thus helping them achieve long lasting recovery.

Feeling on top of the world !

Ian is a published author of the popular “It’s Not About Me! – Confessions of a Recovered Outlaw Addict, from Living Hell to LivingBig”. This is an easy to read page turner, telling Ian’s full story into addiction as a DJing and world traveller adventurer, through the difficulties and challenges he faced trying to clean himself up and most importantly the practical and spiritual lessons he’s learned through his many years helping others remain drug and alcohol free.

Ian offers Coaching and Mentoring programmes to people seeking to improve their life styles or their business’s, having helped over 50 people choose smarter paths and over-haul their lives.

Ian is an outstanding and charismatic speaker, very comfortable presenting and solving problems from the stage. It is his natural skill of engaging both large and small audiences that has taught Ian to exploit his organic talent of being a positive influence over individuals, for whom any encounter is both up lifting and thought shifting. Ian’s style is dynamic, inspiring and enthusiastic.

Ian is a proud Founding Member (by invite only) of the Association of Transformational Leaders of Europe ~ ATL-Europe, due to his impact upon the Addiction Treatment Industry (one of the qualifications for membership is to have made a positive impact on at least 6000 other people), and plays a proactive role in supporting other Transformational Leaders around Europe and helping us to change the consciousness of the planet, one person at a time.

Ian completed 4 years as a Director of YES Group World, having previously served a full 2 year term as the Leader of YES Group London – the UK’s leading personal development community. This is the longest running self-sustaining, not for profit group for people looking to improve themselves emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally, financially and in their inter personal relationships. The YES Group delivers their annual Basket Brigade event on December 23rd, creating and delivering full Xmas hampers for vulnerable families around London. Ian has MCed this event on multiple occasions.

In March 2014 Ian was honoured by the judges of the Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers and Consultants with the extraordinary prize of “Courage to Change” Award, decided uniquely by the judging panel and handed to him based upon over a decade of using his own experiences to see where he can help others.

(1) His charismatic and intelligent approach to business and projects alike brings a really exceptional edge to all those fortunate enough to work alongside him and experience his energy, humour and passion. With his background and his understanding of the psychology of the human condition, Ian makes a unique addition to the human gene pool.

(2) Ian is currently living on the beautiful tropical island of Koh Phangan in Thailand, where he has been involved with helping the Shiralea Health & Fitness Resort remain a popular destination for people looking to hide away during the global pandemic.

Ian’s personal mission is to co-create a green and harmonious world, through laughter and love, bringing a better quality of life to all who cross his path and beyond.

Recovery Is Possible

Excellently written book about a drug and alcohol addict who turned his life around from the extreme chaos of active addiction to becoming a happy and respected member of society. Inspirational and a good read for anyone suffering or for friends and family of those addicted to either drugs or alcohol, or both. It has a riveting story that delves into the chaos and turmoil of addiction and the road to recovery and happiness. It delivers a strong message of hope that recovery is possible for all, demonstrating the steps to recovery and the route to a happier and contented life free from addiction. If you are suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, or know or are related to someone who needs help then this is a must read. Recovery is possible. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in two days. Great story too. Simon Khalil

Inspiring book

A very inspiring book! Loved reading it! Couldn’t put my iPad down! Teresa Scott

An epic journey

What huge courage to share so openly such an epic journey. One that will inspire you and give you hope and be the back bone for your own recovery, whether an addict or relative of an addict. Having known Ian back in the early 90’s while we were all travelling, I had no idea of the extent of his drug habits and the destructive journey we was on, so it warms my heart to know how he turned it all around and how he has dedicated his life to helping others inflicted with addiction and generally putting back into this world to make it a better place – something we could all learn from. There are lessons for everyone in this book, whether dealing with addiction or not. Great work Ian. Joelle

I laughed, I cried

“I laughed, I cried and mostly I was amazed about Ian Young and how he grew thru his journey to become a transformational leader in Europe.” Marie Diamond

Honesty and openness

The book is one of the first on the subject of addiction that I have read that is not just either a list of events that are there to shock or a handbook on how to get over or understand addiction. Ian’s honesty and openness mean that the story and journey can relate to all affected by addiction, the addict, their family, friends and community. The story will bring hope to many affected by addictive behaviour and hopefully help family and friends believe that one day they will get the person they care about back – stronger and someone to be proud of. Sonia D.

Very helpful and inspiring

Well written, easy to read and I should imagine very helpful and inspiring to anyone who’s suffering DJ Meltdown Mickey

Shocking, surprising, interesting and inspiring

Ian’s book is well worth a read, its shocking, surprising, interesting and inspiring. You rock Ian! Lisa Donald

Amazing

Bought it, read it. Amazing! Thank you for sharing. I could relate to so much of your story. Inspiring, honest and a huge amount of courage to write it. Richard George

Heart of the inspiration

Ian does have a ‘special’ if somewhat ‘mad’ story to tell. I believe he is right with his hope that he will inspire others to ‘get clean’ as well as give support to people who may care for an addicted loved one. His style is easy and unpretentious, as if he is chatting to you in a room. He gives enormous insight into his mind and why drugs and alcohol became such an important part of his life-many will identify with his thought processes. For all the extensive descriptions about the ‘colourful’, ‘crazy’ and ‘chaotic’ episodes during his addictive years, I found the sections on ‘realization’ and ‘recovery’ the most interesting and compelling. He knew when the ‘game was finally over’ and he had to choose between life and death. But the recognition, recovery and reformation took enormous courage, struggle and time – the heart of the inspiration in the book. Knowing that there are strategies, help and guidance available, will give strength to others determined to follow a similar positive route to Ian. A book well worth reading. JRW

A Great Read

This is such a great read. Can be used as a tool to keep us addicts grounded. If one can succeed, we all can! Just goes to show that we come in all forms, different parts of the country, different backgrounds and different races and most of us end up in the same dark place. Cyndi

Something in it for all of us

I initially read this book because I am nosey and enjoy a mad life story ( which Ian’s definitely is!) but ended up learning a lot about addiction and recovery along the way. Ian’s message is so positive and his story is such a testament to how you can change your life, there is something in it for all of us, whether touched by addiction or not. (And some of the stories have to be read to be believed!…..) Amy M

Uplifting and energising

Ian Young’s story is significant and important. He should be congratulated on his honesty – it must a difficult decision and a calculated gamble in the name of re-balancing karma (or redemption depending on your religious views) to be so open about what is a blatant waste of a young life and the knock-on effect of such appalling behaviours upon others. So many books in this genre rely on shock tactics and I have to admit (having had a similar lifestyle) that the first part of the book made me feel physically sick and reminding me of the damage that can be caused. I was so glad to read the second part of the book. Uplifting and energising, Ian’s progress means that we can have hope in our lives – hope of improved health, karma, redemption, and the ability to reach others. If I had a family member who was using substances this book would put things into perspective -one of those perspectives may be “thank god my son/daughter isn’t as bad as that”, if I was using myself I would understand that there ARE people out there who care and there is HOPE. Well-done Ian Young. Steve G.

Excellent account

This is an excellent account about the illness of addiction and the fact that there is hope (if you truly want to stop and stay stopped). Ian Young has given an honest and touching account of his experience, strength and hope and I personally hope many people read this book in order to understand what so many of us have never experienced or suffered from. Peter O.

I am lucky to have Ian as my business coach

I am lucky to have Ian as my business coach. He always asks me the right questions and makes me think about whether I am on the right track. Also he keeps coming up with great ideas and suggestions that really help me on. He makes me write a summary of each session, including my follow up actions. That put an end to procrastination pretty drastically! Thanks ever so much Ian! Wilma Alleman Amsterdam, Holland.

Amazing influence in my life

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

Gave me the gift of hope

I remember sitting in a room in prison one day, lost, alone and beaten, on the phone talking to Ian. He gave me something during that 10-minute call that had been taken from me over years… he gave me the gift of hope… gratitude. Ian was also one of the first people I met when I came into rehab for my severe drug addiction (which is why I was in prison in the first place) and he never judged me, something I was not used to…. faith. From that point on he has always been a silent companion on this journey, who I know would come through for me should I need direction or support. In Ian just being himself I was able to find inspiration to just be me… courage. Thank you Ian, for being a key component in my recovery, which has now saved my life… unity. God bless you Ian Young – Kevin Jaffries

“helping others”, being charitable

I first met Ian Young nearly nine years ago when I came to a treatment centre, which he ran. Ian did my assessment over the phone and suggested that I should come to him for treatment. Having successfully graduated, he then helped me a great deal until one day he suggested one day that I become more involved in service work – “helping others”, being charitable with my time. I knew nothing about being of service and his words were, “You will meet a lot more like minded people and your recovery will take off”. And that has been my experience…it’s like I have a mission in life now. I have done a lot of different service commitments in the UK and it has helped my recovery. I will always be grateful to Ian Young for helping me on my journey.

Barrington K

Grateful CA Member

Blown me away with his support and kindness

Ian Young reached out and assisted me when I began seeking a publisher for my novel, some of which was based on hard personal experience. Although his contacts were in other areas of publishing, he has blown me away with his support and kindness. Ruth Jacobs Author - Soul Destruction.

Expert of Addiction Rehabilitation

Ian Young is an expert in the field of addiction rehabilitation. He is the go-to man globally. If you have someone in your life who is troubled by addiction do check out Ian’s profile. Jon Boys

Ian Young is impressive

Ian Young is impressive in both his experience and solutions relating to addictions. He brings a compassionate and intelligent speaking style to his subject, which I found truly inspiring. I look forward to his book. Mark Barnet Crested Butte, Colorado.

Ian is a captivating presenter

Ian is a captivating presenter that speaks from the heart with the sincere wish to help people overcome their addictions. As he comes from personal experience it is very convincing and his success rate is astounding. – Barbara Hofmeister Author of The To Be Book