A year ago I was having to be carried down the stairs of my sisters' house with the most extreme nausea and uncontrollable shaking. I felt like I was going to die. This is not an exaggeration. I had my last 25ml shot of vodka roughly about 6 hours before. I was just about to start my detox.
It got bad, really bad. I couldn’t go any more than a few hours without needing a drink and I would drink anything. However Vodka was the main poison of choice, it was easy to conceal and cheap. Well that’s what I had been telling myself for years anyway. I was drinking between 1 to 1.5 litres of it a day and that’s not including the added beers, wine, ciders, cocktail cans alongside. I would fill up a water bottle for the commute to work or just to carry on me throughout the day. In the very early hours of the morning I would find myself on the toilet with the bottle of poison next to me, drinking enough to either attempt to go about my day the best I could or go back to sleep on the sofa for a few hours. It was a very frightening and solitary existence.
On paper I had no reason to be this way, I had a loving girlfriend, secure job and a comfortable roof over my head. However, clearly something wasn’t right. What that something was didn't matter at this moment in time, I just knew something had to change.
My physical and mental health had deteriorated immensely , it really was a case of do something now or die. Again no exaggeration there.
So i reached out to my older sister for help and that's when we decided to get in contact with Inclusion.
Although not the easiest of times due to COVID restrictions, I was able to participate in group sessions online of 'alcohol awareness' and 'acceptance and commitment therapy', along with regular one to one conversations with my recovery worker. Finally, I was ready (I didn’t feel ready) to start my detox at my sisters house, with her administrating the medication needed along with the absolutely amazing support from the nurses at Inclusion. I quite literally owe all of these people my life. With support after finishing the detox by attending the Inclusion Recovery Program, mentored by Andy, and One to One sessions with my recovery worker, Aaron, they’ve given me the mental tools, focus and drive to get going with my life!
And a life is what I have now, not just an intense struggle to get through each hour or even minute of the day. It is in no way by any means perfect or without its difficulties. However In this one year since my detox I have bought a house with my partner, been to two weddings (sober!), maintained my job role with more energy and bought some home studio recording equipment with the money I would’ve otherwise lost to booze.
With Inclusions brilliant recovery workers/nurses and the support network around me I am now able to positively go forward in my life, in sobriety. Thank you so much!
I also have to remember the fact that I have also achieved this, so after a year and a bit I can finally thank myself too!
Peace
"Alcohol abuse and recovery."
About: Inclusion Isle of Wight Inclusion Isle of Wight Isle of Wight PO30 1DB /www.inclusion.org/services/inclusion-isle-wight/
Posted by Nath1985 (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Tony Burkitt