"I can't believe how much better I feel with no alcohol"

I was spiralling down, worse every month. I knew the alcohol was killing me, but I had lost control. The whiskey had control of me and I was weak.  

The idea of dying and leaving my (adult) children with broken hearts (after losing their mother to cancer just three years ago) was unbearable.  

That's why I called Hampshire Inclusion. Sharon got back to me very soon after my first call and invited me to come in for an assessment.   

I was nervous and had no idea what to expect. She was very nice, absolutely lovely, and just after 10 minutes, I opened up and was completely honest with her. 

She got me started in group. I met several people in a similar situation to me. It was an eye opening experience. I was still drinking a lot, but hoped that more help would save me. Soon, Dawn became my caseworker, also a very lovely person. I was completely honest with her as well.  I had weekly or biweekly meetings with Dawn and saw Sharon in a group that helped us to relax.  

I met many other great helpful people on this journey.  

Dawn and the Nurse arranged for a home detox and I quit drinking, but after 14 days, I was exhausted due to lack of sleep and at the time believed that the only answer was to drink, and that's what I did.  

My fiancée stood by me through all this, not to mention my oftentimes belligerent / mean demeanour on so many drunken nights.  I don't know how she put up with me.  It was psychological abuse.  It was very wrong.  

Later on, Dawn got me a spot in a detox centre about a 90 minute train journey away.  I was so relieved, as it was not easy for her to arrange it.

I showed up early in the morning for my 2 week stay. 

Right from the beginning, I was in the care of such professional caring people. They were absolutely wonderful.  In my mind, I thank them every day. 

Near the end of my stay, I started feeling unwell and a covid test came up positive.   I had to be quarantined for the rest of my stay. To top things off I had another infection at the same time, a virus that piggy backed on the COVID-19 virus, a virus from the bowels of hell.

Anyway, I'm sober.  It's months now and it's thanks to all the people I interacted with on this journey.  I am still going to group sessions at inclusion and still on anti craving medication,  but I feel so good.  I can't hardly believe how much better I feel with no alcohol.   It's fantastic.   I'd recommend it to anyone who wakes up feeling like crap because of drinking.

Thank all of you at Hampshire inclusion , those at the detox centre. Thanks also to AA and the woman who recommended the sleepy time tea.  I'm still having a cup every night and it helps me sleep.