Tragedy as 'nicest lad you'll meet' dad couldn't 'escape' from vice

Growing up, Stephen Holt had a wonderful childhood, going on countless family holidays and getting up to mischief like all young lads like to do.

However, during his late teens, the Chorley man's family started to notice a change in his personality when he began drinking alcohol and taking illicit drugs. His behaviour, when intoxicated, became increasingly impulsive as time went by - and he was referred to mental health services on several occasions after a series of worrying incidents.

He was found at a motorway bridge with a rope in one incident, while on another he had to be cut down after attempting to hang himself. Stephen knew that these attempts were linked to drink and drugs - but he was unable to "escape from the clutches of cocaine".

Tragically, in January of this year, Stephen was found dead. Now, his family is urging people suffering with drug addiction to seek help, reports Lancs Live.

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On January 17 of this year, Stephen - diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder - spent some time at his friend Sam's house in Coppull. He had a few drinks while he was there and although his friends didn't see him taking drugs they suspected he was under the influence of ketamine.

Reece Lever, who was there that night, wasn't drinking as he was driving and at one point witnessed Stephen suffer a fit or seizure. Reece persuaded Stephen to let him take him home to Cobden Street where his mate was reassured he was ok.

However, four days later nobody had heard from Stephen, and police were called. Sadly he was found face down on the bed with two bags of white powder next to him. At an inquest held on May 25