Angela's story - a journey from addiction to recovery

My miraculous journey from addiction to recovery and the programme at Hayes Grove Priory.


Mine is every alcoholics story……………..

I am so pleased to be given the opportunity to pass on my experience of addiction and my life today in recovery.

I feel I must start with what my life had become in respect of my alcoholism

I started drinking in my late teenage years and at that time I was drinking socially. My drinking gradually progressed over the years, and I realise now that I was drinking in a dependent way linked to life experiences that I was unable to manage.

This culminated in my chronic addictive behaviour in connection with alcohol. I became totally powerless over it. I can’t call my experience a life before I came into the Priory, I can only to refer to it as a lonely existence. As an honest person I became a dishonest shadow of myself – confused and isolated.

Before being admitted to the Priory I was not functioning at any level. I could manage to get out of bed daily but could not clean myself. I slept in my clothes, I was incontinent most of the time. I vomited every morning and had the shakes, my life was hell. My weight had plummeted, I had no appetite and felt very weak, physically and psychologically. My family were worried that I had alcoholic dementia due to my lack of memory. My daughter would cry, but I still could see nothing wrong with me. The alcohol nearly destroyed me and everything around me.

Eventually I became sick of being sick and having no power over the addiction. I asked my husband for help and remember saying “I’m sick of living in this hellhole”.

My first experience of Hayes Grove Priory was when I telephoned in May 2007. I arranged for a free assessment with an Addiction Therapist.

After the assessment I was admitted the same day for a detoxification, I felt numb, but knew, deep down that things would be alright. I felt I wanted to do something about my drinking. I do however remember some emotions, fear and apprehension. At that time my husband had also given me an ultimatum, stop drinking or the marriage is over.

The detoxification was horrendous mainly do to being so thin and weak. My family remained very concerned. The detoxification lasted around four days. Throughout my detox my experience of the medical team at Hayes Grove was how professional, kind, considerate and gentle they were. I did not feel judged. I felt very safe. In hindsight I now believe my strength both emotionally and physically started to improve at that point.
The Therapists had introduced themselves to me throughout the detox period. So after four days I felt strong enough to attempt to join the Addiction Programme. I attended all the sessions, and although foggy at times did grasp quiet early on the concept of recovery.

When I started to understand why I could not stop drinking and that I had an illness for me that was my turning point, and when I knew I would remain abstinent. The compulsion was lifted from me.

On week three of the programme I was introduced to Aftercare. I didn’t know what to expect but I trusted the Priory, and knew this would be part of my recovery for the next year or so. I was afraid of leaving the Priory cocoon, but now I knew I could still be connected to the Priory for another thirteen months which was invaluable as a continued support network.

After completing Aftercare I trained to become a Peer Supporter. I now help run the Aftercare Workshops weekly, which still gives me, in turn, support, and I now am privileged to see others grasp recovery. I find it joyous to see others get well, I understand their fears and can help to encourage them to attend weekly to maintain recovery.

The Priory encouraged me to attend the AA fellowship which adds another string to my bow of recovery.

I have remained abstinent since attending the programme, and have been well now for three and a half years.

To sum it all up – The Priory Hospital Hayes Grove Addiction Treatment Programme has saved my life, and has given me a new one.

Angela 2010.


( All the above are Angela’s own words )