A former drug addict and dealer has described how faith in Jesus helped him get clean and go on to set up a successful business.

Ryan Longmuir, from Cumbernauld in Scotland, is featured in a BBC report on the incredible transformation in his life after he found God.

He said he started when he was just 12 years old, and was soon taking drugs every day because they helped him feel normal.

"I tried everything - cocaine, Valium, ecstasy, speed, heroin... I'd go on benders for two or three days at a time, and I'd take five or 10 ecstasy tablets in one night. From the age of 15 to 20 I took drugs every single day."

He found God and got clean when he was 20. Four years later he set up a catering company, Regis Banqueting, and now aged 37 is regarded as among Scotland's most successful businessmen with clients including mobile phone network O2, luxury carmaker Bentley and investment bank JP Morgan.

In addition to his business, where he employs 65 people, he is active in the voluntary sector and is currently raising funds on JustGiving for a sleep out in aid of homeless people.

The strongest thing he imbibes now is a cup of tea.

His breakthrough came in New Zealand, where he had fled his problems for a fresh start, known as "doing a geographical" in recovery circles.

Drug addicts and alcoholics are taught in recovery that geographicals are doomed to end in failure, because the addict always takes themselves with them.

Longmuir was arrested for dealing in New Zealand and when he called a friend in Scotland for advice, she said she would pray for him. 

Longmuir told the BBC: "I thought 'you're off your head' but I decided to try it, and I got down beside my bed and I said, 'I don't believe that there is a God, but if you're real then show me that you're real and I'll believe in you.'"

These words bear a remarkable similarity to those used by Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, when his own "white light" spiritual experience led him to set up the 12-step programme used across the world for recovery fellowships dealing with alcohol, drugs and many other problems. Many Christian organisations have also taken and adapted the Twelver Steps of AA for use in church recovery programmes.

The next step for Longmuir was when he met two hitchhikers who took him to lunch. "That was when I thought there was maybe something to this because why would two complete strangers do that? That was the catalyst for change."

Suddenly, the desire to use drugs was lifted from him. He threw all his mind-altering substances into the sea and has been clean since.

"I know most people who have been taking drugs don't have that experience. Most people do ok for a bit then they relapse. Everyone's journey is different but that was mine," he said. 

He returned to Scotland from New Zealand in 2000 and joined the evangelical Freedom City Church in Cumbernauld and also got married. His first job was working with drug and alcohol addicts. The idea for his catering business came after his church asked him to run their café.

He confessed to the BBC that he had no experience: "I had to phone my mother-in-law to ask how you make steak pie."

Those who helped him included the Prince's Trust which loaned him £5,000.

He has now scooped several awards including Royal Bank of Scotland young business of the year and director of the year from the Institute of Directors.