A BARROW man who had fought a 20 year battle with drug addiction was found dead by his mother after an heroin overdose, an inquest heard.

Steven Caulfield, 45, was a long-term user of the drug but had periods where he managed to rehabilitate himself, the hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told.

The Nelson Street resident was living with his parents David and Sarah who struggled to deal with his addiction issues, according to a statement made by his sister Susan Caulfield.

“When he went out he dabbled in drugs socially," she said.

“When the relationship with his girlfriend of six years ended, he took the break up hard.

“He was about 23 when he started using heroin.

“The drugs affected him badly.”

Mr Caulfield had been referred to addiction charity Unity for drug rehabilitation by his GP on July 13, 2018.

The GP said he had problems with addiction and depression.

Anthony Dixson, from Unity, said in a statement: “Steven was well known to the team.

“He was doing well in his recovery as he was working toward a reduced dosage of methadone, until he relapsed.

“His mum called us as she was worried about him”

His mother Sarah said in a statement he grew up with older sister Joanne and younger sister Susan in Barrow, and he attended St. James Primary School, then later Barrow High School.

“He worked at the Evening Mail printing office and then later found work as a window fabricator," she said.

“He had lost a lot of weight with his drug use.

“A month before his death I found him after he overdosed. I contacted Unity and they decided to up his methadone dosage.

“He was improving, and this is why we were so shocked that he had died.

“The whole family are absolutely devastated.”

The inquest heard on the day of his death, on March 3 this year, he had seen his uncle Tony in the pub and was drinking with friends.

A toxicology report showed positive for opiates, methadone and alcohol.

The pathologist report concluded he died of opiate drug toxicity.

Police officer Nicklaus Hayes. who was in attendance on the night of Mr Caulfield’s death, said it was his mother who had found him.

PC Hayes attempted to get a response from Mr Caulfield and was about to start CPR before a paramedic arrived and took over. The paramedic confirmed him dead at 7.30pm.

Assistant coroner of Cumbria Simon Ward said the breakup with his girlfriend could have been a catalyst for his drug use.

He concluded: “There was no evidence of an attempt to self harm. Steven died a drug-related death.”

After the inquest his sister Susan paid tribute to her brother. She said: “He meant a lot to all of us and was well liked.

“It is just sad that his depression and anxiety got out of control and led to his relapse.”