George Charlton lived with personal addiction to drugs and alcohol and struggled with extreme mental health problems for well over 15 years. Growing up in South Tyneside George was excluded from school at the age of 15, did not sit any exams and left without formal qualifications. He became involved in crime, drug dealing and wider criminal activity resulting in him spending several years in the prison system.

Over the years George spent much time within mental health services and at times was detained under the mental health act owing to significant episodes of self-harm and a desire to take his own life. He went on to find personal recovery after a year-long stay in a residential rehabilitation centre in the year 2000.

George trained as a counsellor in 2003 and qualified with a Diploma in person-centred practice in 2005 before going on to complete a Master of Arts in Social Sciences and Health at Durham University in 2006.

George now works as an independent trainer and consultant across the UK, developing and delivering innovative and dynamic drug and alcohol awareness and harm prevention programs, all of which are co-produced in partnership with people who use drugs and those impacted by addiction and adverse mental health issues.

George is the UK’s only independent Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) Trainer & Supervisor to be endorsed by CRAFT Founder Emeritus Professor, Bob Myers, from the University of New Mexico. Over the past 10 years, George has gained recognition as the leading voice across the UK who promotes and trains individuals, practitioners & companies in the global evidence-based CRAFT approach. For his commitment to working in the field of addictions, George was recognised with the prestigious accolade of UK Skills National Training Award, presented by Joanna Lumley at the Guildhall in London.