Chris’s story
I am 40 years old and have been an addict for an around 24 of them. I had an abusive, neglected childhood and was deserted by my parents. I was a damaged person before life had started and by the age of 17 was living under the influence of class A drugs and copious amounts of alcohol everyday to cope.
Despite this I managed to find a beautiful wife and by the age of 24 had four children. Through a combination of events, including death of family members and breakdown of relations with my wife and children, I lost my way with reality. My substance misuse came to a critical level and in just two short horrific months I destroyed everything that meant anything.
Ultimately I withdrew from society and walked around entire countries in Europe for years, living rough. I eventually returned to England to battle my addiction but failed again and again. Many terrible things happened but one day I woke up in the hostel where I was living and realised I needed to talk to someone.
I was put in touch with NORCAS and assigned a support worker, Liz Bates. I was also referred to the alcohol service in Bury, a GP in Haverhill and had support from a hostel worker. I didn't trust them, but decided to see how they thought that they could repair my broken heart and other serious issues of childhood abuse.
I was surprised to start hearing sense from a few areas. I began to engage in new ideas with Liz and started to think that just maybe I could stop drinking and clear my head. It also got me thinking about living a better life.
With Liz’s support in particular I found the courage to stop drinking. I started to remember things again and my world changed. I also began to read again and sketch. I could remember birthdays and important dates. Although I cried for hours at a time I was facing life and my heart felt pain, sober. I found myself smiling inside for the first time.
I still have a way to go but have now been abstinent from all substance misuse for eight months and counting. I recently moved to my own flat, after living in a supported housing hostel in Haverhill. I feel a true debt to Liz and the organisations involved in my withdrawal from alcohol and my introduction back into society.