Bromley Peer mentor account

Our peer mentors use their own experiences to support and inspire other people on their own journeys.

One of our peer mentors told us how she first came across Change Grow Live, and how she has been supported.

My drug and alcohol abuse started after I became pregnant and had my son. My partner was a drug dealer and was very controlling. After I had my son, my partner’s domineering behaviour became much worse; he was extremely physically violent and was mentally and emotionally abusive.

I felt trapped in the relationship and had no knowledge of any outside help that was accessible to me, so the drugs and alcohol became my best friends, my solution to deal with life.

However, once I started, I couldn’t stop. The violence became so bad that the police were often called and one of us would often end up being arrested. I’d never been in trouble with the police before, so this was all new to me. I felt so alone and had no idea of how to access support and guidance to help me get out of my situation, or to address my addictions.

Trying to be the mother my son needed whilst taking cocaine was hard. I felt so guilty but suffered greatly when not taking drugs to help me to cope. I had no knowledge of mutual aid groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Lifering, or domestic violence support services.

I then found out about my local substance misuse service, Change Grow Live Bromley, and I’m now 18 months drug and alcohol free. I’m now volunteering with Change Grow Live, giving back to my community and to people who are in the throes of addiction like I had been. I’m so relieved to know there are domestic violence services who can provide Independent Domestic Violence Advocates and support programmes to people who are going through what I did with my ex-partner.

You don’t have to suffer alone. Ask for help. Engage with support. Get well. Apart from having my son, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.