I Can Now Do Anything I Want: Lynda’s Story
I didn’t have a life when I was drinking. My family didn’t want me, as I was embarrassing. And they didn’t understand addiction. I had nothing to live for if my family were not around me, and I suppose I drank to take the edge off that feeling. Alcohol became my ‘friend’, although it obviously wasn’t. Drinking became a habit, like cleaning my teeth. I didn’t even enjoy it.
Once you’re in the pattern, it’s like living a nightmare. You think you can get out of it yourself, but you can’t. I used to see people outside my window getting on with their lives and smiling and that’s what I wanted. But I couldn’t get it, I just drank more.
When James took over Penrhyn House, he took me under his wing and I was one of the first people placed on NWRC’s therapeutic programme. I felt safe there and used to go every day. I was part of the first MOIMR group. It was a relief to be able to express myself, and to talk about my addiction. To get support and finally fit in.
I had made it out of my addiction bubble into a bigger bubble full of other people. Penrhyn offered freedom to be myself without being judged or questioned. It also gave my kids support and hope. They learnt about addiction and recovery. They knew that I was safe at Penrhyn, and they knew I was getting better.
Recovery has bought me many things. Sarah Flynn became my good friend. In 2017, we went to Kenya together to do some charity work. I couldn’t believe that I was going to AFRICA! At the airport, Sarah showed me a Facebook post from my daughter, Sara, saying how proud she and my other kids were of what I had achieved. The messages poured in on Facebook and the tears poured out of my eyes! Tears of joy for a change!!
Recovery has given me the ability to laugh again, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My happiness is no longer a false mask. I am free. I can do anything I want, any time, anywhere in the world.
Getting Off the Roller Coaster: Cedric’s Story
The nearest I can get to explaining my addiction is to liken it to sitting on the front seat of a roller coaster ride, and on this ride the brakes aren’t working! I joined the Army when I was 18 and was posted to Germany. I was the youngest in the troop and I desperately wanted to fit in. Alcohol provided the ideal lubricant to enable me to become part of the team. The roller coaster went on and on, leading me deeper and deeper into the madness and dark, to lonely places.
NWRC is a sum of its parts. It works because of all the people who volunteer to help ‘us addicts’. I left North Wales after a period in a local rehab and initial contacts with AGRO. I found myself a few months later in a homeless shelter in Leicester, and still the people from North Wales were in contact with me! They said if I could stay abstinent, then NWRC would do the rest. I did this one thing and they did more than the rest. It’s priceless what NWRC have done for me, and continue to do for others.
If I die of something other than my addiction, it will be my biggest success. Life is good! Waking up every day is a blessing, although I can never take it for granted that I won’t pick up, I haven’t so far and that’s a miracle right there! I have true friends, James, Kevin, Paul, Sarah, all of whom support my wellness. I thank all the staff and residents of NWRC, past and present (including ones that have now left their bodies) for helping me, and send love to you all.