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Dave Burnside, a former addict and ex-offender, has transformed his life from one of crime and addiction to becoming a highly effective advocate for recovery and community support. Dave shared his journey, beginning with a troubled childhood marked by neglect, substance abuse, and crime, and after entering recovery experiencing  in a string of academic and professional successes.

Born in 1959, Dave grew up in Auckland, in a household plagued by dysfunction. With a father who was a functioning alcoholic and a mother struggling to raise three children, Dave began drinking at the age of eight and was exposed to drugs and crime through his older brother’s association with motorcycle gangs. ​By his teenage years, he was entrenched in a life of substance abuse and criminal activity, leading to convictions and time spent in boys’ homes, borstal institutions, and adult prisons. ​

Dave described the impact of incarceration on his identity, noting how he adopted a tough persona to survive. ​However, his life took a pivotal turn during a drug treatment program at Springhill Prison, where he encountered a mentor who inspired him to embrace recovery. “He lit the spark of hope,” Dave said, recalling how the mentor’s transformation motivated him to change his own life. ​

Since his release, Dave has dedicated himself to helping others navigate addiction and recovery. ​He is now the lived experience lead at Odyssey House, an organisation specialising in addiction rehabilitation, and works with various groups, including the Salvation Army and New Zealand Corrections. He also lectures on addiction and recovery, drawing on his personal experiences to educate and inspire.

Dave emphasised the importance of community and connection in recovery, advocating for activities and support networks that foster belonging and purpose. ​He highlighted the role of peer support, recovery groups, and alternative activities like motocross and paintball as transformative tools for those battling addiction.

Listeners praised Daves candidness and resilience, with many sharing their own struggles with addiction. One caller, Alex, expressed his ongoing battle with alcohol, while another, Peter, recounted his relapse after decades of sobriety. ​Dave encouraged them to keep trying, emphasising that recovery is a continuous process. ​

Daves story is a testament to the power of hope, connection, and redemption. ​As he continues to work with marginalised communities, he remains committed to helping others find their path to recovery and reclaim their lives.