Read Jo's story
"I started drinking at the age of 13 and it was fun with friends, it was an escape from home. As I got into my twenties, I was working, I was in and out of relationships that weren't ideal, and the drinking was still social although it was quite heavy. But once I started my family I stopped drinking altogether. The partner I had my daughters with started using heroin. That really frightened me. I eventually left him taking the girls with me.
Eventually, I met my son's father who was wonderful. We had our little boy and the girls were happy and then suddenly he died. And that is the point when alcohol became an important part of my life and I think I started drinking really to ease the anxiety. I would end up drinking for oblivion and it just escalated from there basically.
I would wake up after a lonely drink the night before feeling dreadful. I'd have to get my son ready for school, then I'd come home, go to see a friend or go to the pub, drink until I felt better and then go to school, pick him up, full of mints hoping nobody would realise. I think the lowest point in my addiction has to be when my son couldn't live with me anymore because of my drinking. He had to go and live with my elder daughter because I couldn't take care of him. He was being neglected by me.
It was actually my son's education welfare officer who said that I needed help and he suggested a family service. They encouraged me to get in touch with Change Grow Live.
I was so nervous about going to Change Grow Live for the first time. It was terrifying thinking about walking through that door and speaking to someone. After one session I realized that there was nothing to be worried about at all. Everyone was in the same boat as me. They were all fighting their demons just as I was, and they were so supportive. It was amazing and we really helped each other in the women’s group. I loved it in the end.
I cannot tell you the difference in my life now, it is amazing. I have a wonderful relationship with my family, with my children and my grandchildren, I work with a women's group at Change Grow Live and I run an allotment for Emerging Futures - the aftercare service. I wake up every morning wondering what the day has to offer.
If like me you feel really ashamed and you're worried that people are going to judge you, don't. Don't worry about it, come and get some help. It's there and everyone is so friendly. I want to spread the word - please get well, it's worth it, it's great."