These are the first of a series of short Recovery Stories that I will publish in this 10th-Anniversary Celebratory Series, from people who passed through North Wales Recovery Communities (NWRC) on their journey of recovery.
A Wonderful Way of Living: Rich’s Story
My misconception of life was a daily trigger. Yes, it was compounded by the loss of marriage, business, and loved ones, but it was ultimately the futile battle to control my emotions that led me to take the first drink. Futile, because alcohol only gave me a brief suspension from those overwhelming emotions. Alcohol is a great multiplier, and when its effects wore off, the emotions returned with a vengeance—triggering the endless cycle of ‘more feeding more.’
Finding NWRC offered me a vital space to explore recovery, to identify what worked for me, and to separate it from what didn’t. It helped to reduce the confusion of early recovery and confirmed that my choice of a 12-step model was the right path for me. NWRC’s emphasis on mutual aid and peer support helped foster acceptance, accountability, and the belief that recovery should be visible and widely accessible. Supporting others in their recovery has become a vital cornerstone in strengthening my own recovery, and I had the good fortune of doing this during employment with NWRC.
Recovery is a wonderful way of living. It has presented challenges and moments requiring difficult decisions, but I am as grateful for these experiences as I am for the successes. I firmly believe that recovery success comes through perpetual growth in the right direction—a commitment I strive to uphold daily. Thanks to contented sobriety, a wonderful marriage, and restored family relationships, I am free to live a life where fear of the future has been replaced by enthusiasm and gratitude for every sober day.
Rich Price led the building of the ARK at Penrhyn House, which you can read about in my blog post ‘Rising Above Covid: Feeding the Local Community’. He also led the refurbishment for Bwyd Da Bangor, the café set up by NWRC. You can read about this in tomorrow’s blog post.
I Have My Peace: Emily’s Story
My addiction was the worst relationship I’d ever been in. A friend turned lover, turned tormentor. The physical pain that came with a life of drugs, alcohol, and lack of food was excruciating, but it was nothing compared with the isolation and loneliness. I lost my family, my friends, and I almost lost my life. It was a constant loss. I thought I craved oblivion, but really all I craved was peace. I’d tried rehabs, detox, religion, counselling, moving, but every attempt was followed by my continuing addiction.
Eighteen months ago, I was tricked by a substance misuse worker into visiting NWRC, under the guise that she was giving me a lift home from hospital. The first thing I remember is being offered a cake. It was just a cake, but it had been a lifetime since I’d been a welcomed guest. I was in a lounge full of people who wanted to know me. I don’t know exactly why, but that day changed everything.
After that day, I was a permanent fixture of Penrhyn House and soon became a resident. There were groups, or activities but most importantly there was friendship and kindness. I had a home. I found the Fellowship, and through it worked my Steps. NWRC gave me a job in Bwyd Da Bangor café, and through that I began to think about my future.
I got into university. It was time to move on. You never really leave NWRC; I have their support whenever I need it. Today, I am a support worker and a university student. I show up for my family. I have an amazing human in my life, and an adorable puppy. Most importantly today, I have my peace.
