Blog Archive
For many people, drinking an extra sherry is part and parcel of the Christmas and New Year period. Whilst many of us see this as harmless, drinking to excess can cause a myriad of problems.
So before you have that next pint…Have a read of Sam’s story below.
I am 55 years of age. I have only had one real love affair which lasted 33 years. Her name was alcohol! I am an alcoholic (been through rehab). My last drink was on 7th December 2009 and I have been sober since then. I am one of the “lucky” alcoholics; my time in rehab was a short stay at Great Oaks adult mental health unit.
The route to alcoholism was a long and hard road. Some of it, not all, was my fault. I had good times (I thought) but mostly bad. Like most alcoholics I lost a home and a wonderful family, but it never stopped me drinking because I thought I had it under control. How wrong I was.
Over the years drink became so important to me, every penny I had was what I would call beer tokens. Food, bills, personal hygiene were no longer an issue, just drink.
There were days when I was so bad I couldn’t control my bladder. I would wet myself and not even know. Or excrete myself and not even care what, if anything, people thought about me.
Throughout the years I learnt how to manipulate people. There are so many things I’ve done over the years which I hate myself for. It wasn’t until one day I decided I couldn’t go on this way. I sought help from the Junction in Scunthorpe. With the help of so many people I am on the road to recovery.
Deep down I know the road will be a long one. There are days when I feel, why am I doing all this? Who am I doing it for? The answer is simple. Me!
There is much more to write about and I hope I get the chance to do so, but for now I want to say thank you to Great Oaks, the Junction and to Trafford Street clinic. Without them who knows where I would be today? I would also like to thank my family and friends who I love greatly!
To provide support over what can be a vulnerable time of year, Fresh Steps service user group have organised a series of outreach days at Shelford House, Shelford Street, Scunthorpe, during the festive period.
The idea is to provide advice and companionship to clients of the various treatment services, including drug and alcohol treatment services.
Group members will be on hand to offer a wide range of support including; befriending, service access advice, peer support and reassurance that support is available during what can be a lonely time of the year.
