HOLLYOAKS and Love Island star Paul Danan has created a drama school especially for people struggling with addiction after landing a lottery grant.
The actor, who has got clean after 17 stints in rehab, is on a mission to help other addicts in their recovery.
Paul Danan is passionate about helping other people who are struggling with drug problems
Paul, who has been drug-free for two years, was given financial support to get Morning After Drama which is based in Bristol.
An insider told HOAR: “It’s no secret that Paul has battled his demons over the years but now he has channelled all of that into something that can be really proud of.
“He is helping turn lives around by combining both his acting talents and industry knowledge with his own hard won experience of recovery.
“Getting a grant from the lottery is just what the initiative needs to go to the next level and help as many people in the community as possible.”
As well as helping those battling drug addiction, the drama group supports those who have experienced trauma, serviced time in prison and struggle with mental health.
The website reads: “By providing a specifically focused, accessible and non-judgmental opportunity, we engage with groups of individuals with similar experiences to bring them gently out from the shadows and into ‘The Morning After’.”
“Our trauma informed and intuitive delivery provides a safe, fun and expressive space for people to access support, learn new skills, build confidence, develop tools to strengthen personal wellbeing and discover new positive coping strategies and behaviours through the art of theatre and improvisation.”
Paul, who played Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks from 1997 to 2001 relapsed during the first lockdown and was left homeless.
After his time on Hollyoaks, he featured on the first Celebrity Love Island in 2005, but he has spent most of his life battling addiction.
He found himself in a hotel room taking cocaine whilst suffering terrifying hallucinations.
The 43-year-old told us: “I felt so terrible, guilty and ashamed when I started using again. I was like, I can’t believe I am back here. It got really scary.”
He says: “I didn’t want to be on my own in lockdown so I left my flat in Hertfordshire and moved back in with mum and dad in Essex. I thought everything would be fine as I hadn’t touched any drugs in 18 months and life was good.”
Initially, Paul was busy recording his chart-topping podcast, The Morning After, from his childhood bedroom and attending his regular 12 step meetings online.
But after being diagnosed with ADHD in summer 2019, Paul soon found that the restrictions of lockdown meant he was struggling to keep a handle on his condition.
“The big thing that helps ADHD is to be around people, but because my dad was high risk for COVID, I couldn’t even meet anyone for a walk in case I caught the virus and brought it back to the house.
“It was also really hard not being able to see my son DeNiro, who was in lockdown with his mother back in London [ Paul co-parents the now six year-old with his ex].
“I started to get really bad cabin fever and frustrated. I needed to get out and felt like I was going mad.”
Paul relapsed in the first lockdown and found himself homeless
He starred as Sol Patrick in Hollyoaks from 1997 to 2001
He was on the first series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005
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