After years of abuse and mayhem caused by too much drink and too many drugs, I finally dragged my tired old butt into rehab. What a revelation! When once I thought my addictions were because of my character defects and weaknesses, I now know I have an incurable disease, affecting one in ten people. In treatment I was detoxed and educated, with intensive counselling and group therapy, to recognise the signals that trigger my addiction. Learning to focus my energy and behaviour to ‘Just say no!’ I now know how to have some control over my life, in a way I never thought possible. After the initial paranoia of ‘Will I lose my creativity? Can I socialise? What will happen without mind-altering substances?’ etc etc, I can now put my hand on my heart and say I’m enjoying being sober more than being out of it. After almost 20 years of chaos (some of it bloody good fun!) I now have peace of mind and a natural energy to live in the real world with, no more escape or delusion. It’s hard work, but by keeping it simple and taking it one day at a time, I will win. I’m not going to preach, each to their own, but to anybody who feels they can’t control their intake of drink and drugs, seek help, you can’t do it alone! Will power is not enough, let your soul rest and your spirit soar.
Art and style director, recovering addict.
