"Creative writing for recovery"

I'm in my late fifties and have been addicted to alcohol for 40 years,

I've tried to quit on several occasions without success.

After a heart attack in 2021

Then subsequent hospital admissions I finally had had enough.

I took myself to Inspire in Burnley where I met my support worker John.

After several months I entered my last detox and rehab in February 2023.

I'm pleased to say that I'm now 131 days sober.

However during my rehab I had several set backs due to my physical and mental health.

I suffer with peripheral neuropathy

I have a heart condition

And most recently collapsed whilst in a Stockport hospital for what I thought was an ear infection.

After scans of my brain I was diagnosed with having venous sinus thrombosis.

Blood clots in my brain.

I'm coming to the end of my rehab treatment and plan to return to my flat.

Whilst in rehab I was given the chance to attend a course on creative writing.

I'm not fully educated and my grammar and spelling is atrocious.

But I now create my own style of poetry that reflects my thoughts and feelings.

This has now become my new passion in life, as it helps with my mental health issues and my fight against addiction.

It's my birthday soon and I'll be turning the same age as my father when he passed away.

And also the same age my elder brother passed away.

I won't deny I'm shit scared at the moment but I know that if I keep my mind clear by writing, and keep myself clean and sober I will live a longer and better life than I've known for a very long time.

I'm celebrating my birthday by attending an AA meeting where I live, as the people who go to this meeting I now class as my friends and family.

This will be the first birthday without a drink of alcohol inside me.

This is just a very small part of my life but also the biggest day of my life.

Thank you