 I’m Recovering from Alcohol Steve has been supported by T.H.O.M.A.S. I’m Steven Manners; I am 36 years old, lived in Blackburn all my life and am a recovering alcoholic. I first started drinking when I was 13 years old and at school. Every Friday night my friends and me bought a bottle of cider each before going to the local disco. In those days it was the normal thing to do to get drunk together. When I started work at 16, in the catering business, I began to drink most nights and would spend all my money on beer. After I had an accident in 1994, I started drinking more and more and my alcoholism kicked in. It was in 1998 that I realised I had a serious problem and realised how seriously ill I was becoming. My liver began to bleed and it was failing me rapidly. It was at this stage that I knew I had to get help somewhere. I was admitted to hospital several times before going into a rehab. However this was a very short-term rehab and during 2000-03 I relapsed several times, although I wasn’t drinking as much as I used to. On January 15th, which is my mother’s birthday, was the day I said "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH". This is also when I realised how much pain and suffering I had inflicted on my family, and the impact it had on my parents. Mum and Dad have always been supportive of me, and have always remained by my side throughout my drinking, and for their support I will always be eternally grateful. A lot of people are often ostracised from their families, but I have been lucky. This is when I engaged with T.H.O.M.A.S. I had previously been involved with T.H.O.M.A.S; it was with them that I took up a computer course. Jon taught me the ins and outs of a computer, and then I learned how to use the Internet. This gave me a focus in life and I began to use my new found skills to improve my social life. Here was a life I had never known before, meeting people, and talking to people on the Internet and making acquaintances. Then I was told about the Floating Support team at T.H.O.M.A.S. The team help and support people in the community, I knew I still had a long road to go down, so I went to see the team and they took me on as a client. I am currently receiving support from the team who are supportive, helpful and more importantly, understanding. As of today I am 9 months without a drink, I feel brilliant and proud of myself. However had I not had the support from T.H.O.M.A.S I cant begin to imagine were I would be today. I have recently received a Lifelong Learning award from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for my achievements over recent months. It is now I would like to convey my gratitude to T.H.O.M.A.S and the Floating Support Team for their endless help, encouragement and support they have given to me. T.H.O.M.A.S is an excellent organisation, which are dedicated and work tirelessly to help not just myself but others with similar or worse problems. Thanks to T.H.O.M.A.S a new life has begun for me in so many different ways. I have aims and goals that I know I can achieve, and now I know there is life without a alcohol. |
