WHILE it's been fantastic to see the positive reaction to Mike Littlewood's attempt to turn his life around, we cannot expect him to suddenly make a clean break from his drug addiction.

After the Worcester News' initial report on Mr Littlewood's battle to stop using drugs, and then our article on the good news of a job offer – cleaning windows at Pepe’s Piri Piri restaurant – other businesses have been in touch to say they would like to help find work for the recovering addict.

However, that doesn't mean that Mr Littlewood will suddenly completely stop taking drugs and become a model citizen after years of addictions – and we shouldn't overwhelm him with that pressure.

As any recovering addict will tell you, the path to sobriety is never straightforward. There will be missteps and regressions.

Ultimately, Mr Littlewood will only completely give up drugs if he really wants to, and if he has support around him. He's fortunate to have a loving wife and, now, the people of Worcester behind him. But this will not be an overnight success story.