"You will reap what you sow and will get back 10 times what you put in"

This is a short insight into how Change Grow Live (Birmingham) helped me get a new lease on life.

I was always a social drinker, enjoying a few beers with friends on the weekends. But as time passed, my drinking habits spiralled out of control. I began to drink more frequently, and in larger quantities, until I found myself relying on alcohol just to get through the day.

In a way, I always knew I had a problem, but I didn't want to fix it because I wasn't ready. I tried to cut back on my drinking but could not resist the temptation.

As a result, my drinking cost me my children, relationships, jobs, my mental health, and almost my life on more than one occasion. I had no one to blame but myself because honestly at the time there was a big part of me that didn’t care. I put alcohol before everyone and everything. It got to the point where family and friends, people I love knew I needed help. However, I didn't know how to admit to them and myself that I was an alcoholic.

It was in January 2022 that I was first referred to CGL. I wanted advice on how to control my drinking as I didn’t want to cut it out completely. However, it was short-lived as I continued to let alcohol control my life and stopped engaging. During the next 6 months, my drinking deteriorated from bad to disastrous. I would need a drink just to get out of bed in the morning. I was admitted to the hospital several times, placed under sections, and was taking risks that put myself and worst of all others at risk.

It was in July 2022 that I knew that no matter what I needed to get help and get alcohol out of my life whether I liked it or not. So once again I approached CGL who I feel realized that I was in it now for the long run. They knew and I knew I was ready.

The team at CGL was extremely helpful, and the staff were always there for me. They provided me with emotional support and guidance whenever I needed it. They also helped me to recognize the underlying issues that were causing me to drink, and I learned how to deal with them in healthier ways. During the coming months, I decided that a full detox would be my real only option and hope for achieving my goal of getting alcohol out of my life.

I got that call in September to tell me that thanks to my support worker at CGL, I was accepted to the detox program and would need to wait for a date. I cried and couldn’t eat my meal because it hit me that this was happening.

It was then in December that I went to Park House Inpatient Treatment Centre for 2 weeks. If I’m honest, that was the easy part, as the temptations to drink weren’t there, but it needed to be done to ensure my safety and my health while I detoxed from alcohol.

When I came out of detox, I was introduced to the Day Programs Team whose overall role is to help you get used to life without your addiction, but in reality they do so much more than that.

During my time with the Day Program, I met people who were all struggling with not only the same and other addictions as well. We talked about our experiences, shared our stories, and provided support for one another. It was then that I realized I wasn't alone in my struggles. You'll learn not just about your addiction, but about your mental and physical health, your relationships, your finances, and more. To be honest not only is the list truly endless but I would not be writing this if it wasn’t for the day program.

Over time, my cravings for alcohol decreased, and I began to see positive changes in my life. My relationships with family and friends are starting to improve, my mental health is improving and I truly have found a new sense of purpose and direction in life.

I’m under no illusion that my journey is over but with the help of CGL, the Day Program, and others around me I know I can do it.

I’m now over 5 months sober and I am so grateful for everyone at CGL, both the Support Workers and other Service Users who helped me through the start of my journey.

One of the questions we are asked during the Day Program when new people join is what advice would you give to someone starting their journey? So here is mine to you – Make sure you’re ready to do it and when you are that you are giving it 110%, because I promise you that you will reap what you sow and will get back 10 times what you put in.

In conclusion, my story is a testament to the power of community and support in overcoming addiction. With the help of organizations like Change Grow Live and the Day Program, anyone can break free from the grip of addiction and start a new chapter in their lives.