Kevin's Story
The point at which drinking moves from being a short but pleasant relief from the everyday strains and stresses of life to a must have 24/7 ritual is hard to define. It is a long slow process of decline which makes it progress hardly noticeable and is different for each individual concerned.
Drinking for me started when I joined the R.A.F, outside of work pubs, clubs, bars were the norm, it was an excepted part of the culture. That continued for ten years during my service in different professions in several different countries, only rarely in excess but always under control? On leaving the service I went into the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, much more conservative and sober business so drinking became a very occasional, social activity. With progress and promotion drinking became, one again part of the culture, entertaining customers and suppliers, taking staff on nights out. All quite acceptable and enjoyable only rarely in excess but still under control?
Further promotion took me into the I.T side of the Corporation, long projects, much European/International travel long working hours, when you distant work you drank, that was the norm, more often in excess but still under control?
I noticed that my marriage was getting a bit messy (I was married and divorced when I was in the R.A.F, wasn’t the drink though because we all did that?) so I changed jobs, less travel more local work but some drinking culture. More promotion thus more stress and responsibility, marriage got to the point that I was thrown out of the house, got my own flat and then woke up to the fact that I had a drink problem.
My company paid for two separate sessions at the Priory in Chelmsford. Thought I was cured went back to my flat, within a month I was drinking.
My eldest daughter recommended I move to Cambridge (someone to watch over me). Still drinking now breakfast dinner and tea, lost my flat, on the streets of Cambridge.
I have been here 20 months (except for two months on my own, which I tried and lost – “didn’t try hard enough”) don’t need to drink don’t want to drink.
I need to defeat my demon, I might die before I win but I will die fighting, left too many excuses and too pig headed to give up the fight.