Dual diagnosis describes when a person has two co-occurring disorders. It is often difficult to diagnose and this can lead to prolonged suffering on behalf of the individual. The aim was to provide a lived experience narrative of the early recovery journey of a person with a dual diagnosis. Method This aim was achieved through the use of a narrative based methodology. The journey of life leading to a dual diagnosis and beyond is described under the following headings: Formative Years, Substance Misuse, When Life gives you Lemons, They Say Nothing lasts Forever, From the Ashes, Early Recovery and Luck or Fate? The narrative presented describes a first hand experience of the struggles leading to a dual diagnosis and how receiving the diagnosis has supported the recovery journey of the first author.