"Thinking more clearly now"

At first was when I was a teenager with friends sometimes, although I wasn’t very keen on it. It was only when I was a little older maybe 18/19 when I started socialising properly and going to the pub, I then started to enjoy it and the atmosphere surrounding drinking.

In my late 20’s, when I started making sure I had a bottle of something to go home to after the pub, it was like I never wanted the party to end. I would go home from a night out and drink half a bottle of whiskey or something alike. Drinking in isolation without anyone knowing I was doing it, I just couldn’t stop myself. From there onwards the casual weekday drinking would start too- a small bottle of spirits to wind down with after I finished work quickly turned into larger amounts and also more frequently. For a long time I was in denial and thought of it as not being a problem, but then I started to miss work and I eventually lost my job due to having too many days off. I think that’s when I really noticed it was an issue. I also lost my home due to not having a job and not being able to pay the rent.

I have lost a job that I really enjoyed, I also couldn’t find any more work due to lack of motivation and a bad track record of sick days. I lost my home and I have also lost many friends along the way and trust from family members.

I didn’t do much at all at first, it took me a long time to accept that I needed help. I suffer with some health problems which my drinking went on to exasperate, when in hospital on many occasions an alcohol nurse would try to get me help and I declined. After quite a few admissions I eventually agreed to get some help last year. I was then put in touch with CGL and I started the Day Program.

Very good, I cant complain at all. The staff have always been helpful and professional, I also like the fact that when I came to Intuitive the staff had a good understandidng of addiction due to experiencing it themselves before.

My CGL worker Dina referred me, the process was quick and I was really pleased

I was already trying somethings but after doing the course I have got a much better routine, my motivation is better and I think more clearly. I am definitely more aware of the choices that I make and have been participating much more in group activities at my accommodation- which I wasn’t doing before

I have been getting out and about more, joining in with groups and activities. I have also been going to coffee mornings and out shopping now- things that I wouldn’t have had the motivation to do before as I was always anxious

To keep doing what I have been doing, to stay sober and healthy, to also do some volunteering and give back a little bit to the services that have helped me