EXCLUSIVE: 'I scared myself'- Kildare man on his battle with addiction and homelessness

In an exclusive interview, a brave young man has come forward with his truly inspiring story of his battle with trauma, addiction and homelessness, and his amazing recovery journey.

At just 24, Jordan Bowes has lived through experiences many don’t face in a lifetime.

He found himself at a very dark time in his life when his addiction led him to living on the streets. Now, Jordan lives independently and his story is an inspiration to all.

Jordan's Childhood Trauma

Jordan’s early life was marked by love, but also disruption. He grew up with both parents until the age of eight, when they separated.

That event, he says, became a pivotal moment — one that left him emotionally scarred and confused.

“I blamed myself,” Jordan reflects. “We were on a boat to England when my mother told me they were separating. My dad was staying on the couch at the time. I didn’t understand what was happening, and that confusion stayed with me,” Jordan said.

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Despite the separation, Jordan remained close to both parents. His father introduced him to rugby, a sport they both loved. But when his parents showed up to support him at matches, it only reminded him of the tension between them. “It was awkward… they wouldn’t talk to each other. There was this coldness that made everything harder.”

That discomfort, coupled with bullying at school and a growing sense of isolation, left Jordan struggling with confidence. “I felt different. I expected to fall. I was scared to speak up, scared to ask for help. Alcohol became my way of dealing with that.”

The Descent into Addiction

Jordan began drinking at 17, socially at first. But by 22, alcohol was no longer just a social outlet, it was a coping mechanism. That same year, he began using drugs.

“That’s when everything changed,” he says. “The progression was fast. I clung to it. I was in so much pain that I sought out others who were in pain too — people using like I was,” Jordan said.

What followed was a rapid decline. His relationships broke down. He lost job after job. He began lying to his family, isolating himself, and surrounding himself with chaos. “I was going into homes I didn’t know, borrowing money from people I shouldn’t have, pushing away everyone who cared about me.”

The darkest moments came when he ended up sleeping rough in Waterford — not because he didn’t have a house to return to, but because his mindset had deteriorated so much. “I’d be lying near rivers, out on the streets at night. I was completely lost.”

A Wake-up Call

Jordan's wake up call happened when he found himself in Court.

“Seeing my dad and his wife waiting there — it shook me. I scared myself, and I scared them. That was the moment I knew I needed to change, or I wouldn’t be alive much longer.”

Jordan entered a 28-day treatment programme in Wexford, followed by secondary treatment in Navan. For the first time, he began to process the trauma of his past — not just the addiction, but the emotional wounds that led him there.

“I had the option to go back to my family, but I knew I needed something different. I needed structure, space, and time to rebuild.”

A New Chapter Begins

After treatment, Jordan moved to Kildare and connected with the DARA Project in Kildare Town. Through that, he was introduced to Tiglin and eventually assessed for a place at Jigginstown Manor outside Naas. He’s now been there for nearly four months.

“From day one, they were welcoming. They saw how vulnerable I was and gave me space to start fresh. This is the first time I’ve had my own front door. It’s not just a roof — it’s independence,” Jordan said.

In Jigginstown, Jordan receives support from his key worker, who helps him with budgeting, life planning, and setting realistic goals. They regularly look at housing options together, preparing him for long-term independent living. “It’s structure I never had before — and it makes all the difference.”

Healing Through Acceptance

Jordan knows recovery isn’t just about staying clean — it’s about addressing what led him to addiction in the first place. “The biggest thing I’ve had to learn is acceptance. I was holding onto the pain of my family breaking up for years. It affected my inner child. I’m still working on it with my sponsor and my counsellor.”

He’s come to realise that acceptance — not blame or endless questioning — is the key to growth. “I used to ask, ‘Why me? Why isn’t my family like others?’ But I’ve stopped asking those questions. They only put me in a hole. Now I just focus on moving forward.”

Eyes on the Future

Jordan’s vision for the future is becoming clearer. He’s exploring education opportunities with the help of his key worker, aiming to work in addiction services so he can help others going through what he did.

“I missed out on education, but I want to use what I’ve lived through to help other people. That’s where my purpose is.”
Rugby remains a constant in his life — not just as a hobby, but as a sanctuary. “When I’m on the rugby field, all the noise fades away. It helps me stay grounded.”

Jordan knows he’s not alone — and he wants others, especially young people, to know they’re not alone either.
“There are people out there asking the same questions I did — ‘Why am I like this? Why don’t I have what others have?’ My message to them is: don’t overthink it. Don’t let those questions drag you down. Just focus on the next step. Keep moving. One day at a time.”

Jigginstown Manor in County Kildare

Jigginstown Manor, located in Naas, County Kildare, is a transitional housing project created to support young adults aged 18 to 25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy, who grew up just ten minutes from the site, shared a personal reflection on the project’s importance:

“I grew up just down the road in a deeply dysfunctional home. As a child, I reached out for help. I remember cycling into the Eastern Health Board services, desperate for someone to listen, to intervene. But instead, I was told to go back. Back into the chaos. That moment stayed with me. And that’s why today, standing here in my own hometown, this facility means everything. Because now, when a young person like Jordan reaches out, there’s finally a place that says, ‘Come in. We see you. We’re here to help. That’s what Tiglin is about.”

Operated by Tiglin in partnership with Homeless Care CLG, the facility includes 12 purpose built studio apartments designed to promote independent living and long term housing stability.

Each resident receives personalised support through dedicated key working, focusing on individual development in areas such as education, employment, and overall wellbeing. The initiative is not just about accommodation but about offering young people the tools and encouragement to move forward with confidence and purpose.