Getting over any addiction is a long-term struggle to free yourself from bad habits and find new passions in a life after drugs and drink.

For Terry Hunt, getting sober was a journey not taken alone but with the company of 40 snakes in his flat in Leytonstone.

Talking candidly at home the 47-year-old admits he has been an addict for 30 years, using crack, pills, speed and booze to feed his addiction.

He hopes by sharing his story he can rekindle a relationship with his family and inspire other addicts to find a passion to help them get clean.

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At home with Terry

In staying clean, Terry seeks disability benefits to battle his severe depression and insomnia.

Snake breeding has provided him with some additional money to keep his cold-blooded friends well-fed and cared for.

His 30-year battle with drug use saw him cover his face with tattoos and piercings in his fight against many "demons".

Terry said: "I regret them but it was a part of my body armour when I was using."

Terry’s addiction reached a “breaking point” after the death of his mother, beginning a downward spiral into heavy drug use.

He said: “I really went downhill and lost contact with my dad.

“That was the breaking point for me, I either got clean or I was going to die.”

It was as this point two and half years ago when he saw an opportunity to look after a friend’s snake while he moved away.

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1 of 40 snakes keeping Terry company 

Reminding him of days spent looking after his pet snake as a young boy, Terry became “addicted” to caring for his new cold-blooded friend.

Terry said: “It was my breakthrough, they’re so therapeutic. I like the way they slither, they’ve all got all personalities as well.

“Since I got my first snake I haven’t touched a drug or drink and my money now goes on my reptiles.”

His home quickly became a sanctuary for snakes in the area, unloved or unwanted by people unprepared to take on their responsibility.

He said: “When a pet snake gets too big for a kid to handle nine out of ten times my name comes up.

“’Good ol’ Terry will take it’ they say.

“But I’m not taking anymore, I’ve got a house full now.”

In staying clean, Terry now battles depression and insomnia, but his ability to finally get clean is helping him “stay out of darkness”.

He added: “I want other people like me to find something they're interested in and go with it.

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"I’ve come too far now"

“You have to break away from your old behaviours.

“I never thought I’d ever get free. I could quite easily slip back into drug taking but I won’t do that.

“It’s not going to solve anything, I’ve come too far now.

“My family sadly don’t want to know me because of my drinking and drugging.

“Maybe they will see this story and reach out to me, I would like that.”