A few years ago, ex-drug dealer Ian Freeston was serving a jail term for supplying ecstasy and heading for an early death or a life incarcerated.

The 41-year-old has not only managed to steer his life back on to the straight and narrow, he has also tried to make a difference to the lives of others.

Ian said: "I have gone from narcotics to nutrition. I used to do benefit fraud, drug dealing, tax evasion and got into heavy debts.

"But the experience changed me. I have gone a full circle. Now I want to help people complete a similar transformation."

Fourteen years ago, Ian was the DJ at night clubs with some of the biggest names in dance music, such as Paul Oakenfold and Carl Cox.

Although he became one of the pioneers of the Brighton house scene, it did not stop him from falling into the trappings of drugs.

He said: "I was quite a late starter in the drugs game. At first, it was just speed and cannabis.

"I was into punk and had a club night in Horsham, where I used to live. I used to love bands like The Clash, The Jam and Adam And The Ants.

"But, as they became more mainstream, I started following the psychobilly scene and then acid house.

"I had a huge record collection and was really into the music. Taking drugs was part of the scene.

"I used to play a really eclectic set, which mixed up early house music with funk, like James Brown.

"It is the sort of stuff that Fatboy Slim was playing on Brighton beach last Saturday, but I was doing it 15 years earlier.

"I was playing at the Zap Club when it first opened, with the likes of Danny Rampling and Mark Moore, who went on to have fame with S-Express.

"Drugs were part of the territory. When illegal raves were popping up everywhere, I just lost the plot."

Ian, of St George's Mews, Brighton, became enveloped in a world of cocaine and ecstasy. He even lost all his slots as a DJ.

"I never really liked cocaine but it gave me a massive ego boost. My girlfriend's mate at the time could get it cheap and before I knew it, I had a daily habit.

"The only way I could fund it was by dealing. I was also taking pills at least three times at week.

"It was just part of the culture and I completely immersed myself in it."

In 1990, Ian served nine months in prison for possession with intent to supply after being caught with an ounce of cocaine.

Even that wake-up call failed to rid of him of his drug vices.

He says: "I knew I had done wrong and for a while I tried to free myself of drugs. I escaped to London to become a sound engineer.

"For a while it worked, until the recession kicked in and I struggled to get work. I also split up with my girlfriend and had some huge family problems. My father told me he was not my real dad, which totally threw me.

"I went AWOL on drugs to ease the pain. I lost any sort of focus in my life and used drugs to hide my hurt.

"I found it easy to become dependent on ecstasy and coke, as I felt I was the victim and not to blame for making a mess of my life.

"I was upset with myself and used drugs as an escape. Stupidly, I started dealing again as it was the only way I could live. I was also claiming benefits, which I had no right to."

It was only a matter of time before Ian got caught by the police again. In 1994, he was put on trial for possessing 45 ecstasy tablets in the Zap Club.

His solicitor told him to expect a long sentence as it was his second serious drug offence. He was lucky and escaped with a year's prison term.

"I decided this was going to be the turning point in my life. I was on bail for 23 months and thought I was going to spend my time wisely.

"I started doing yoga and meditation. When I was finally sentenced, I used the time as a spiritual retreat. I wanted to use the experience valuably."

Not for the first time, it was a false dawn. He wasted three more years taking ecstasy at parties up to four times a week.

In 1997, Ian finally quit drugs after nine years of heavy intake.

Ian said: "Ironically, it was taking the hallucinogenic drug DMT that made me see the light and realise what an idiot I had been.

"I had always been into the spiritual side of life and started to invest my time in Feng Shui, Ying-Yang and a hands-on healing process called Reiki.

"It was a major transformation. I was a drug addict and now I'm a health freak. I was, and still am, heavily involved in nutritional products and diet. I have been holding seminars on personal development and health care for the last three years.

"I even went to the police and social services and admitted all my previous crimes, as I wanted a totally fresh start. I want to be a living example of a transformation."

Ironically, Ian has turned to dance music to help spread the message of clean living.

He has set up a club night at The Joint in Cranbourne Street, Brighton, called Transformation, which opens on Sunday.

He hopes the night will bring together people who just want to be themselves, without the need for excessive drinking or drugs.

He said: "I don't want to ram the anti-drug message down people's throats.

"It is up to others what they do, but you can show them the way and I think the club will help promote this idea.

"All I want to do is make a difference. I can do this by going back to what I do best and that is playing music - but without the drugs."