On Sunday the 2nd March, I will be 1 year sober! Unbelievable! I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by, If somebody said to me this time last year that I could go 1 year without a drink I would of sent them to get there head tested, but somehow, I have managed it. I’m not saying it’s been a straight forward, smooth journey, because it’s been far from it. Especially the first few months, but with the help and support that I continuously received, in particularly from ASPIRE and the Junction, I remained alcohol free.
There has been plenty of plus sides, my health has improved dramatically, my head and thoughts are much clearer now, as strange as it may sound, I feel more intelligent too! I’ve been working full time for 4 months now, I made my boss aware of my alcoholism and he admired my honesty and has been totally supportive and understanding, which has been great. Even after only being at the company a short period of time, there is talk of a promotion in the pipeline too. So my life’s starting to come together nicely and in the summer I will hopefully be moving into my own place as well.
I ask myself, would all this be possible if I was still drinking? Would I be looking at a promotion, or even still be in a job if I was drinking before work? Would I have the money to get my own place? Would I have both better physical and mental health? Would I even still be here?
I doubt it very much. I’ve got my life back and I don’t intend on wasting it.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has helped me in anyway over the past year; you have no idea how grateful I am. I just hope I can now help and inspire others to turn their lives around just like I have done.
Rob Osbourne; ASPIRE, Peer Mentor
Published 2nd March 2014
