A FATHER who had previously enrolled himself on a drug treatment programme, died of alcohol and drug related causes, an inquest heard.

Dad-of-one Damien Swain, 37, of Cwmbran, was found slumped over his sofa at his home in Thornhill on Wednesday August 22, near a half-consumed one-litre bottle of vodka.

The inquest, sitting at Gwent Coroner’s Court in Newport last week, heard how Mr Swain, who was single and lived at alone at the time, had a history of drug and alcohol misuse.

Mr Swain’s stepmother, Gwyneth, told the inquest he became depressed after the death of a close family member in 2012, and had used drugs and alcohol to cope.

Despite enrolling himself onto a drug program to help curb his habits, Mr Swain was known to drink vodka in the daytime and take ketamine two to three times a week, the court also heard.

Mr Swain was last seen by his stepmother at the family’s shop in the morning of Tuesday August 21, where she noticed “nothing unusual” and said Mr Swain “seemed fine”.

But Mrs Swain told the inquest the family became concerned because they had not heard from him all day.

That day, his half sister, Deborah, found him unresponsive and called emergency services.

Responding, PC Lang of Gwent Police went to the Thornhill address after fears were raised for Mr Swain’s welfare by Deborah.

“The front door was open, and the flat was unkept, but there was no sign of trauma to the deceased,” said the officer.

“Circumstances surrounding the death were not suspicious.”

A pathologist carried out a post mortem examination on Friday August 24, 2018, and found Mr Swain died from changes to his liver, as well as drug and alcohol consumption.

Mr Swain had a blood alcohol level of 149, nearly two times the legal drink driving limit.

Senior Gwent coroner Wendy James said “sudden and unexpected circumstances” lead to Mr Swain’s death, which she concluded was drug and alcohol related.