"The lady I met was very friendly and attentive"

I have drunk for most of my adult life, all kinds of alcohol, beers and spirits, I have always felt that I had control and could take or leave drinking at any point. On reflection, that was not the case and I have been drinking daily for most of my adult life. I was drinking an average of 21-25 units every day, sometimes more at the weekend. About eighteen months ago I started working for myself and found myself in hotel rooms, away from home and I was finishing work around three p.m. each day. I was getting back to my room and started drinking immediately. I would mostly drink and not stop, other than for food or to shower, but than would drink until I pretty much passed out. My wife wouldn't call me in the evening as I sounded drunk, (because I was), she asked me to sleep in the spare room when I was home as I smelled of alcohol and the habit was costing a fortune. 

I had a moment of clarity, one afternoon, just as I had started drinking and realised that I needed help with the situation. I made the decision, to contact drink line and they listed to me and suggested I speak to STARS as I live in South Staffordshire. I spoke to a representative who was very helpful and asked me to fill in an online questionnaire. About three weeks later I had a call from someone and was invited to go along and meet them.

The lady I met was very friendly, attentive and didn't judge, her name was Bridget. She suggested that I started to keep a diary of my drinking and with regular meetings, calls and just knowing that someone was on my side helped me reduce my alcohol intake. I am still drinking and working my way to being able to have a day were I don't drink, I haven't touched spirits for three months, incredible, considering I was drinking three litres of whiskey per week.

I am now down to two or three beers a night and don't start drinking until at least 19.00. A good proportion of my reduction has been personal determination, spurred on by Bridget and my wife by supporting me and praising me even for the smallest of reductions.

I am, by no means, drink free, and, quite honestly, never want to be, but I want to have the choice as to when I drink rather than a need to have a drink.

Do I feel better for this improvement? Yes, I now have clarity rather than my days being blurred, fuzzy and just waiting for the soonest time I could have a drink! Is there a way to go, maybe, but I'm on the road to 'recovery'.

Actually, NO, recovery is the wrong word. I'm on the way to a different, improved and in many ways, better life style.

If this story helps just one other person to review their lifestyle and choices and what's really important to them, then that's two of us that are better people.