Stuart’s story
Despite being a heavy drinker for 30 years, I’d always been in control of alcohol. Up until three years ago I had a good job in recruitment and sales, a nice home and car and I supported my partner and our two children.
My downfall began when me and my partner of 20 years separated. The drinking began to escalate and I became more and more dependent on alcohol, which led to me breaking the law and ending up in court. After spending three weeks in prison on remand I lost my home and most of my possessions. I was homeless.
Through the probation service, I got a room in a supported housing hostel in Haverhill. It wasn’t particularly nice and was a far cry from the house, which a few months earlier I owned, but it was, at least, a roof over my head. Things were so bad that I was drinking between four to six litres of very strong cider every day. I knew no limits. I would shake unless I had a drink and I would only stop drinking once I collapsed on my bed at the end of each day. I had entirely lost control. Alcohol had taken over my life.
My support worker at the hostel visited me once a week. She knew that I had a drink problem, but there was no support in place there for her to be able to help me. She knew that NORCAS could though.
After meeting a NORCAS representative my life began to turn around. The support, help and advice that I received from my NORCAS key worker was amazing. She was non-judgmental and allowed me to work through my problems at my own pace. Through slowly cutting down on my drinking every week, I began to get better. By the end of November 2009 drink was no longer controlling me, and by January 2010 I had stopped drinking altogether.
NORCAS has continued to support me throughout this time, helping me to overcome my alcohol problem. I have been put into Band A with the council, which means that I am waiting to get my own flat in the very near future. My life has completely turned around and I am gaining control of my own life again. I could not have done it without all the continued support that I received from NORCAS. I cannot thank them enough.