A Doncaster mum of three whose alcohol addiction was so severe she didn’t leave the house for three years is reclaiming her life, thanks to the support she’s receiving from a specialist drug rehabilitation and recovery service in Balby.
The woman was drinking a litre bottle of vodka every day, feeling depressed and experiencing periods of self-harm – even contemplating taking her own life, when she became seriously ill with pancreatitis. She was admitted to Aspire Drug and Alcohol Service’s New Beginnings Specialist Detoxification Inpatient Unit, where she took the first steps on her road to recovery.
She said: “It was a lonely existence. I’d lost interest in everything and just felt numb. My kids are all grown up. They could see I was going downhill and wasn’t acting like their mum anymore – I just sat on the settee in my pyjamas and dressing gown, drinking and watching TV.
“I wanted to change, but I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own, so I just carried on until I made myself ill. The doctors told me if I didn’t stop I’d be dead within two years.”
After undergoing a specialist detox she is now participating in Aspire’s Structured Day Programme, experiencing a wide range of therapies and interventions to support her in her recovery and continued abstinence.
She added: “Coming to New Beginnings is the best thing I’ve ever done and I can’t believe how far I’ve come in just a matter of weeks.
“I’ve experienced problems with drugs in the past and there were some personal reasons why I drank the way I did, but with the help of the brilliant staff and supported by my peers on the programme, I’ve been able to get to the root cause of my problems and I’m learning new ways how to make them more manageable, so I’m more able to cope with negative feelings.
“My husband and family can’t believe the change in me!”
The woman’s husband is so proud of her progress he’s thrown out the old settee and replaced it with a new one, along with completely redecorating their home, to reflect her fresh new start.
She said: “New Beginnings has given me my life back and I feel free again.“I’m rebuilding my relationships with my children and seeing my mum again, as she didn’t know how to deal with me before.
“I’m appreciating the important things in life, like reading stories to my four grandchildren, which I wasn’t able to do in the past – they thought I was too poorly.
“I’m taking pride in my appearance and enjoying getting out and about on the bus or walking my dogs. I’m also noticing little things like the birds singing, and the warmth of the sun on my skin – all things that I missed out on before when I was stuck inside the house.”
She added: “I’m sharing my story because if it helps just one person to consider getting help I’ll be happy.
“I’ve learned that it’s not possible for me to have just one drink – I can’t have any. We’re randomly tested for alcohol and I love seeing the clear breath test!
I’ll never go back to my old life, I’m proud of the new me!
Anyone who would like a confidential chat about drug or alcohol issues, please ring (01302) 730956, or visit Aspire’s live chat at www.aspire.community
