Caroline's Story
Meet Caroline. Caroline has been supported by Pathways to Recovery, our free drug and alcohol treatment service based in Warrington.
We're sharing real experiences to introduce the people behind recovery and show how compassion can open doors to a brighter future, for all.
These stories invite us to look beyond our assumptions and see the whole person: their journey, their resilience, their hopes and their dreams.
“Today, I've been sober for 18 months. After more than 20 years of trying to stay well, that feels like a miracle. My recovery has given me my family back, and it’s given me myself back.
Being sober has changed everything. The greatest gift it’s given me is having my family back in my life. My mum never understood before why I couldn’t just give it up, or why I couldn’t do it for my children. Back then, I didn’t understand it either.
Now, having my mum back and having that close relationship with her is amazing. I can talk to her openly, about my recovery. She understands that now. She’s proud of me. She’s forgiven me. Her forgiveness is a blessing.
The growth in me is amazing. It’s beautiful. I now have a relationship with my sister, too, and that means a lot to me.
Today, I volunteer at Pathways. I help with the breakfast club, and I support the women’s group. Looking ahead, I’d love to work with Pathways in the community, supporting people with their recovery, their medication, and offering emotional support.
I’ve experienced domestic violence in previous relationships, so I understand how hard it can be. I want people to know that they don’t have to suffer in silence, and I want to support others who are going through that.
People see the drugs or the alcohol, but they don’t always see the human being. They don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, or why someone is using drugs to cope. People can be quick to judge, without understanding.
Once you come to Pathways and see other people in recovery, you start to believe it’s possible. There’s no judgement; we’re all in the same boat. No one is better than anyone else.
To anyone in Warrington, I’d say this: don’t judge a person by their behaviour. Don’t judge at all.
That’s what really matters. We need to work together to raise awareness and help others to see the person.
Recovery is possible for anyone. The first step is walking through the door and asking for help. People don’t always know where to go, but there is so much support out there. I’m living proof of that.”
Visit the Pathways to Recovery website to read more stories from people who have been supported by our service in Warrington, and discover what you can do to support a more compassionate Warrington.