Recovery is possible: celebrating Recovery Month with real stories from our team
September is Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the strength of people on their recovery journey and offer hope to those who may be struggling. Today we share powerful stories from our Emerging Futures team. People who’ve walked the path of recovery and now support others on theirs.
The opposite of addiction is connection: Rachael’s story
Rachael, a Housing Support Worker in Kirklees has been sober for over seven years. Before that, alcohol had taken over her life.
“I just kept thinking I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t know how to live.”
Reaching out to friends led her to the Basement Recovery Project. “Once I made it through the doors, I just broke down and felt relief. I found somewhere I could open up and not hide anymore.”
For Rachael, connection has been at the heart of her recovery. “I started going to groups and connecting with people. Seven and a half years on, they’re still my friends.”
Her advice: “Just reach out, even if it’s to one person. There is help out there.”
A journey from darkness to hope: Chris’s story
Chris, Community Team Leader in Birmingham, knows firsthand the challenges of addiction.
“I was arrested on numerous occasions and sectioned twice. Most painfully, I was separated from my young son. To say I was in a dark place would be an understatement. I’m grateful to still be alive.”
Seeking help and completing treatment changed everything. “Today, my life is unrecognisable. I have a rewarding job. I have a supportive partner, a loving family home. I’ve rebuilt relationships with my family and friends.”
Chris’s message is simple. “If you’re struggling, get help. Don’t wait, take that first step today.”
From rock bottom to recovery champion: Suzanne’s story
Suzanne, Service Manager in Hertfordshire, lost herself to alcohol. “I didn’t know who I was anymore,” she recalls.
After seeking help through Change Grow Live and The Living Room, she relapsed, and hit rock bottom in detox.
“I couldn’t pick anything up, my legs wouldn’t move, I couldn’t go to the toilet by myself. It was just horrendous. I knew I could never go back to that.”
With support, Suzanne rebuilt her confidence and returning to volunteering. “I started to believe in myself. That’s where it changed. I could be me, Suzanne, not somebody that had a problem with alcohol.”
Suzanne’s recovery brought real change. “Now I’m happy, I’m peaceful, I’m Suzanne. I wouldn’t swap it for anything.”
Her message: “It is possible. Even through the darkest days when you think the best thing is to disappear from this planet, once that fog’s lifted, even though it seems like it never will, it can. The support is out there. It’s just being brave enough to say, you know what, I need help.”
A transformation to self-belief and belonging: Martyn’s story
Martyn, Community Team Leader in West Sussex, grew up feeling anxious and out of place. “There was nowhere I felt safe,” he recalls. “Home was a place of fear. School was a place of fear. I just felt as though I’d been plonked on Earth without a purpose.”
Alcohol became his escape, but it led to self-sabotage. The turning point came when his mother could no longer wanted to see him, and a persistent friend encouraged him to attend an AA meeting. “I realised I wasn’t getting away with anything anymore. Life just hit me.”
Recovery meant more than giving up alcohol. Martyn confronted deeper issues including social isolation and low self-esteem. He joined multiple support groups and sought therapy. “I started feeling self-assured. I started getting a bit of a resemblance of a character and an identity. Taking responsibility for yourself is when you start feeling great. That’s where the real rewards are.”
Martyn’s advice: “There are absolutely amazing highs you can get from doing healthy things. Recovery is worth it. It’s hard initially but it’s worth it.”
Huge thanks to Rachael, Chris, Suzanne and Martyn for sharing your stories and giving hope to others.
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Across England, we support adults affected by drug and alcohol addiction with housing and community-based services. Find out more at www.emergingfutures.org.uk.
If you or someone you know needs help, you don’t have to do this alone.
Email: info@emergingfutures.org.uk
Tel: 03330 124 714
