Recovering drug and alcohol addicts celebrated their progress at a special awards ceremony to honour their achievements.

Haringey’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team held the prize evening at Tottenham’s Caribbean Edge restaurant last week.

The event was hosted in partnership with Recovery Champions, a group made up of people who lead community outreach, education and peer support groups for addiction and substance misuse.

Recovering addicts shared their stories in the presence of friends, family and the wider community.

Gold awards were then presented to service users and staff in between entertainment from performers including The Recovery Theatre Project and Tottenham MC Sameone.

Haringey Borough Council’s cabinet member for health, Councillor Bernice Vanier, presented the awards.

She said: “This event was fantastic. The entertainment and the sense of community were really strong, but most impressive were the truly inspiring stories of how people have overcome addiction and turned their lives around.

“Many people in recovery have to face stigma in their personal and professional lives and this event sent a clear message that Haringey stands united against this kind of discrimination.

“It takes enormous strength and resolve to tackle addiction.

“Although Haringey has a range of services that have played their part in helping people, it is important that the personal strength that has been shown by many in our community is applauded and celebrated.”