Welcome to the Personal Stories Page

I joined A.D.S in Nov 06 I had reached the end of my road I knew there had to be a change I wasn’t living but existing I thought I was coping but I wasn’t. My health was deteriorating the result of twenty years drinking.

 

I have been sober for the last 10 months and my life is by far the richer, it wasn’t easy and I wanted to give up but I kept fighting and by keeping the alcohol out of my life I became a stronger person.

On reflection I am far more confident, I attend as many groups as possible at ADS  and contribute, I would not have been able to do this in the past I would have wanted to hide or act the clown so others wouldn’t see my vulnerability .

As a person I have had to change to maintain my sobriety but it is a change I have welcomed,  I now have boundaries and am beginning to nurture myself more. choice is a word I use frequently. I am more positive and look forward to the new challenges in my life I walk and read, and welcome a conversation on meeting people  the simple things in life which didn’t interest me as drinking became more important as I drank alone.

 I detached myself from my friends as they took my valuable drinking time away I consistently made excuses as to why I couldn’t go out,  fortunately I retained those friendships and have now been able to be honest about my  problem.  I never thought this would have been possible as I was too ashamed. I became so disinterested in life so scared.

It is difficult to put into words the feeling of contentment I have now when ending one day and starting another, being sober sets you free of all the torment that alcohol brings, gradually I am gaining back my self worth. As a person I am calmer and more consistent I was continually agitated and anxious and I thought the alcohol would help me but it contributed to those feelings.

I feel so proud of myself for what I have achieved but I never take my sobriety for granted I consistently work at it. Sobriety has given me an inner strength a strength I never thought existed.

I have completed training to become a peer supporter none of this would have been possible whilst drinking as I would not have had the ability or motivation, this enables me to give something back to ADS as without their continual support I feel none of the above would have been possible.

My goals in life would be to train in this field and maintaining my sobriety