Mitchell, who will challenge Ricky Burns for his World Boxing Organisation lightweight title at the SECC on September 22, spiralled out of control following the break up of his marriage, turning to alcohol in an effort to ease his heartache.
"My head was wasted for about eight months," he said. "My mind was in a bad place and I was out drinking until two in the morning and meeting women in the build up to my Interim world title fight with Michael Katsidis in May 2010.
"I also got myself in bother with the police a couple of times. It was craziness really, a mad situation, so it was no surprise that Katsidis stopped me in three rounds. I knew I had lost the fight the moment I made my entrance and said to myself, 'I'm not ready for this'."
Fourteen months later Mitchell returned to the ring having found salvation through a Good Samaritan and completed his rehabilitation by defeating John Murray to claim the vacant WBO Intercontinental lightweight championship. In the intervening period local businessman Bill Ives had helped Mitchell rebuild his life after a mutual acquaintance made the introductions.
"I was in the pub one evening with a mate, Terry Marley, who said there was this guy, Bill Ives, who was interested in sponsoring me," said Mitchell. "So, I went to Bill's office and we struck up a relationship and I calmed down.
"We chatted about my career and where I wanted it to go. He effectively became my mentor and he has helped put my mind back in a better place. He has been instrumental in me turning my life around and I am determined not to make the same mistakes again.
"I am seeing my kids, Connor and Vinnie, who are seven and two, four days a week and life is brilliant again. It has been for the past year and a world title would be the icing on the cake."
Yet while Mitchell has re-discovered his zest for boxing and life as a whole, he has clearly retained his mischievous sense of humour. Referencing the wars of independence during which Edward I, known also as Longshanks, tried to brutally subjugate Scotland, Mitchell stated his intention to rule the ring in Glasgow when he faces Burns.
"I am going to bring back Longshanks and do to Ricky what he did to Braveheart," said the Englishman. "I'm into all that historical stuff and Wallace was hanged, drawn and quartered and I will be reminding Ricky of the fact.
"I have been to Scotland a couple of times, and it's a good place and the people are very passionate. Ricky and I are good friends, but Longshanks is coming out of the book, because if I am not fit and on form there will be a repeat of the Katsidis fight."
