To anyone out there struggling to get help, who maybe doesn’t believe that they have it in them to change but they’re desperate to, I would say it is possible to get clean. It’s possible to like yourself. There are people out there who care. You don’t have to be on your own.
Content warning: Mental health
Before treatment, I was living on my own and I was incredibly isolated. I was drinking constantly and waking up with withdrawals, panic attacks and paranoia. My physical health was horrendous.
Luckily, my keyworker was amazing. It wasn’t an easy journey. I had to prove I really wanted it. She told me that once she saw that determination and commitment, we could think about rehab.
I already went through treatment once, but I just wasn’t ready. But this time around, I was committed.
It was time to go all in one, and one of the things that I will always remember is when one member of staff said to me: ‘Before you leave here, you WILL like yourself!’ I looked at her as if she was mad and thought ‘I don’t think so!’ But she was right. I did like myself by the time I left treatment.
I do like the person I am today and the woman I could become. I feel like all my life experiences can be of some use. I feel I can contribute back to society in a more positive meaningful way. I like that!
My life now is the complete opposite to what it was!
When I went into treatment my confidence was so low I didn’t really have a voice of my own. Now I’ve found my voice and my confidence to own my place in society.
Now I connect with others every single day.
To anyone out there struggling to get help, who maybe doesn’t believe that they have it in them to change but they’re desperate to, I would say it is possible to get clean. It’s possible to like yourself. There are people out there who care. You don’t have to be on your own.
