I’m Dave I’m an Addict, The words that echo globally … The first and last for many of us. Addiction is no laughing matter. It takes so many lives and it will continue to do so, it is a cunning enemy of us all, but we can fight it.I was born in Liverpool in 1984, I lived with my mum and dad till I was nearly five then my sister came along, childhood was quite the norm, good upbringing and good friends.
Alcohol was what brought me to my knees, I don’t know where I got the drinking side of me from because my dad never drank and my mum only drank on occasions.
My drinking spiraled out of control in August 2014, when I got the news my dad had cancer, he was 47. when diagnosed, The illness soon took him in June 2016, but those 2 years were really where the progression began.I drank to numb the pain and block out any feelings, I lost my job as an engineer, and was soon to lose my flat. After numerous hospital visits and detoxes I was finally introduced to a keyworker from Sefton Council who mentioned rehab to me.
I jumped right at the chance and after another relapse and hospitalisation I then had my window to enter The THOMAS project.
I was picked up straight from hospital on 4th August 2016, where I came straight into Witton Bank, I quickly got stuck right in, fitted in right away, the 15 other lads (also in recovery) made me feel at home, I felt I finally belonged.THOMAS has saved my life, it’s introduced me to the 12 step programme, I take part in therapeutic groups, plenty of activities and education is thrown into the mix too. We attend 4 meetings a week and we also hold our own in-house meetings.
I’m learning how to deal with things head on, and I’m looking forward to life again. THOMAS is a miracle factory, many people have come through the doors broken and many of them graduate and continue to do well, as I write this I’m 105 days clean, that’s a miracle in itself.
I plan on going into second stage and I will continue working on my recovery and building my life back. There is hope for us all, I see that now. A massive thank you to Father Jim and the rest of the staff at THOMAS, and a big shout out to all the lads.
