Gavin's story
Meet Gavin. Gavin is part of Pathways to Recovery, our free drug and alcohol treatment service based in Warrington.
Pathways is sharing real experiences to show the person behind recovery and encourage our community to show compassion.
“I’m 16 years in recovery. It’s something I’m incredibly proud of, but getting here has not been easy.
I started drinking at 17. I was shy and withdrawn, and alcohol felt like the thing that made me fit in. It gave me confidence.
By my early twenties, I was drinking daily and experiencing panic attacks. I was carrying a big secret: my sexuality. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, the impact of Section 28 [a controversial law that prohibited local authorities from “promoting homosexuality” in schools] and the HIV crisis sent many of us back into the closet because of the stigma.
That was so damaging to the LGBTQ+ community, and a lot of people, including me, couldn’t be ourselves.
When I was 21, I was ‘outed’ by an anonymous letter to my dad. He couldn’t accept my sexuality, and we didn’t speak for two years. The rejection, humiliation and fear of being myself drove my drinking and drug use even further.
By my thirties, I was drinking 24/7. I lost my home, my job, my relationship, my health and my self-respect. The comedowns, anxiety and shame were unbearable.
The turning point came in 2008. I had been drinking heavily and was found walking the streets in a vulnerable state. I was arrested and detained under the Mental Health Act. It could have been worse, but the police and mental health services recognised I wasn’t well. The humiliation and the fear of what could have happened sobered me up. I haven’t had a drink since.
My family eventually understood I was ill and started showing compassion. My dad paid for me to move to Warrington so I could start again. That was the beginning of us rebuilding our relationship.
Recovery didn’t happen overnight, but something had changed. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I went to a psychiatric unit and started attending Alcoholics Anonymous. I found a higher power in nature, in the universe and in the people in the room, and that gave me hope. I learned that I suffer with an illness.
My experience is now the foundation of my work at Pathways. I support people through recovery groups, work with the local authority, and run wellbeing sessions, creative groups and events to celebrate recovery.
We’re not bad people; we’re people trying to get better. Compassion, patience and understanding save lives.
One of the greatest joys of my sobriety has been reconnecting with my family, and I’m grateful that they were proud of me in the end. I've rebuilt my life and reconciled with my partner, and we've been together for over 30 years.
I choose recovery every day. And I wouldn’t change my past, because it made me who I am today.”
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.