“All that stuff came back with vengeance after Beijing…” explains Mitcham. “I shamed myself a lot for having depression and for feeling the way I felt because I felt like it was unjustified. I was so ashamed – that really prevented me from getting help, so I went back to using the same coping mechanisms that I’d used before to change the way I felt, which was drugs. I just felt so badly about myself – and so I guess the drugs helped me to switch my mind off, to get through the day.”

Eventually, realising that he needed help, Mitcham checked into rehab.

“The drinking and the drugging were a symptom of depression rather than the other way around…” explains Mitcham, reflecting on how his time in rehab helped to bring some perspective to his addiction struggles. “For me it’s all about self-esteem. I used to have such poor self-esteem that I was completely dependent on all of these external sources to make myself feel better. Using drink and drugs is a really powerful way to change the way you feel. Going to rehab, I learned lots of other tools to change the way I feel – much more effective ways to change the way I feel – that don’t have these added consequences.”

Now, sober for seven years, Mitcham is volunteering with London-based charity Controlling Chemsex to try and help others. Controlling Chemsex provides support to people who use drugs to enhance sex.

“Every single week I will hear stories of boys who are scared of having sex because it’s so triggering for them…” explains Mitcham. “I’m very passionate about helping people who do have these issues because it is insidious. People should be able to have sex without the shackles of having to be high.”