Andrew's Recovery

"My alcoholism built up over a number of years. I started off as a social drinker. As my children grew up, my jobs became more demanding and I drank more. I got married in 1981 and had four children and life was good. I worked for the same company for over 30 years, managing a computer support team."

"My drinking progressed from social drinking to drinking at work – Friday afternoon trips to the pub with colleagues. In my late forties, I knew that my job was going to be coming to an end and that is when my drinking escalated. About that time, my drinking switched from beer and wine to spirits. In a seven day week, I would drink half a bottle of spirits on three or four days. I had some sober days to straighten me out, but then since that period, in the last ten years, there was a progressive increase – sometimes 2 bottles of spirits a day. I was drinking in the morning before work, and drinking on my way home in the car. That went on for at least five years before I left employment. I had to leave my job in the end because there was nothing meaningful for me to do there. That gave me a great reason to drink."

"I came into treatment at Trust The Process Counselling because I was drinking at home everyday. I was increasingly blacking out and fitting due to my alcohol consumption. I had facial injuries and a completely closed eye after falling over when I was fitting. After my last fit, I went to hospital where I detoxed. Then I started the treatment programme at Trust The Process – my family sorted it all out while I was in hospital. It has been a very positive experience being in treatment. My physical and mental health has improved considerably in the 12 weeks I have been in treatment. I have a level of honesty and willingness which is greater than ever before and this is helping me not to drink. The programme fits together well here – it is very thorough and covers off all aspects of addictive behaviour and how to recover."

"My counsellor was very knowledgeable and specific in her guidance. She was thorough in her approach. One of her strengths was her strength. I talked with her and my peers about strategies for coping with life situations. I now feel prepared to go to any lengths for my recovery."

To talk about treatment for alcoholism or addiction, call Trust The Process Counselling on 0845 686 0824.