A Story About Support
Two years have passed since I found myself in Woking station, waiting for a train back to London. Daunting is an understatement. I knew what I needed to do to stay safe; I had a recovery plan rolled up in my bag and a determination to abide by it. The counsellors at Life Works had helped me work out a daily routine and I knew what I needed to do to stay safe.
The journey was uneventful and I found myself by the front door of my shared house in South London little more than an hour later. But I had no keys. In the chaos of my admittance, door-keys had been the least of my worries. My calm determination was rapidly deteriorating. I was angry and anxious. I rang my housemate, a wine merchant, and asked when he’d be returning. “An hour or so”, was his reply. “Wait in the Duke of Edinburgh.”
I did not challenge him. I didn’t suggest a different meeting place. Although I had achieved a lot in Life Works, I had yet to find my voice. So, five minutes later, and less than two hours out of treatment for alcoholism, I found myself sitting in a pub. At that time, I knew only one person in my fellowship and I was relieved when he answered his phone. He kept me safe. I was lucky.
Those early days are the most dangerous. The Alumni Group offers those leaving Life Works numbers to call, people with similar experiences who might be an understanding ear. I celebrated my second year of sobriety last week, and thanked my Twelve Step Group for helping me. But I should also thank the friends I made during my time at Life Works. Of all the people that have supported me during my recovery, they have been the closest to my heart and, I believe, the most helpful.
Joe
- 3rd level navigation:
Members of
Registered with
Alcohol Abuse . Alcoholism Treatment . Alcohol Misuse . Signs of Alcoholism . Alcohol Treatment . Alcohol Addiction . Trauma . Drug . Drug Abuse . Drug Rehab . Drug Addiction Treatment . Drug Misuse . Drug Addiction . Detox . Methadone Detox . Alcohol Detox . Drug Detox . Rehab . Counselling . Depression . Eating Disorder Treatment . Eating Disorder Recovery . Bulimia Eating Disorder . Anorexia Eating Disorder . Eating Disorder . Anorexia . Bulimia . Binge Eating . Compulsive Eating
- Contact:
- E-mail
- Phone UK 0800 081 0700
- Phone International + 44 800 081 0700