John's Inspiring Recovery Story

In the world of recovery, every story is unique. John Houghton's journey, however, stands out as a testament to the power of family support, personal determination, and the human capacity for change. Now 46, John has been in recovery for nearly 13 years, a milestone he'll celebrate this April. His story is not just one of overcoming alcohol misuse, but of rediscovering life and purpose.

A Military Family
John's early years paint a picture of a seemingly idyllic childhood. Born into a military family, he spent his formative years living across Europe. ”I had a great childhood, a happy and loving family," John recalls. "We saw the world, and I was an only child until I was 10 when my sister came along. We wanted for nothing."

However, beneath this outward appearance of adventure and happiness, John faced hidden challenges that would shape his future. Tragically, John experienced childhood trauma in the form of sexual assault, an event he suppressed for many years. This traumatic experience laid the groundwork for future struggles with alcohol misuse.

The Slippery Slope of Adolescence
At 13, John took his first sip of alcohol - setting the course for the next two decades of his life. He started regularly missing school, and progressing from drinking in the park, to being a regular under-age visitor in the local nightclubs. John thought he was having a brilliant time!

"I can't say I got in with the wrong crowd, because we were all in it together," John reflects. This period marked the beginning of a pattern - Thursday to Sunday became dedicated to drinking, with school taking a backseat to hangovers and late nights.

The Pub Years and Escalation
At 16, John's world revolved around a local pub where he was offered a job as glass collector, mainly to pay for all the cider he was drinking and after a short time, he was offered a job working on the door. It was here that his drinking habits intensified. "I had started to drink shots, but my favourite has always been cider," he says. Despite his father's attempts to curb his drinking by buying low-alcohol beers and keep him at home some nights, John's consumption continued to rise.

The White Cider Turning Point
A chance encounter with old schoolmates introduced John to white cider - a moment he identifies as a significant turning point. "I was drinking litre after litre," he admits. The consequences were visible; John's weight ballooned to 19 stone. Yet, remarkably, he never felt drunk. "I still felt normal," he says, a chilling testament to his built-up tolerance.

Marriage, Career, and Hidden Addiction
Life seemed to take a positive turn when John met his future wife. He secured a decent salary, bought a house, and on the surface, appeared to be living a good life. But beneath this facade, his drinking was spiralling out of control.

By 33, John's daily routine involved secretly consuming two bottles of white cider before his wife returned from work. "I'd drink in the bath, thinking my wife wouldn't know," he confesses. Yet, this deception did not go un-noticed.

The Ultimatum and the Path to Recovery
It was his wife's ultimatum that finally broke through John's denial. “I know what you’re doing and you're making our lives a misery," she told him, sending him to live with his parents.

This moment of crisis became the catalyst for change and John's father played a pivotal role in his recovery. "My Dad made a plan for me to drink for the rest of the weekend, but on Monday he was going to make sure I stopped," John remembers. True to his word, John had his last drink at 9:25 on a Monday morning, with Jeremy Kyle playing in the background - a vivid memory that marks the beginning of his recovery journey.

Rebuilding and Giving Back
Recovery wasn't just about stopping drinking; it was about rebuilding his life. John and his wife got back together and after finding out he had fertility issues, they adopted a daughter. He thrived as a father and discovered his passion for fitness, losing 6 stone through boxing and gym work. With a new perspective on life, John and his wife realised they were no longer compatible and decided to split, sharing their daughter’s care.

Despite facing personal challenges, including divorce, John found new love and even became a biological father, defying previous fertility issues.

Peer Mentor
Today, John's focus is on helping others. He recently graduated as a Peer Mentor, completing a 15-week course that delves into the discrimination and stigma surrounding substance misuse. "I feel that I've got my life back now," John says. "I see people so unhappy, but I believe that if I can do it, anyone can and this is how I am able to help.”

A Message of Hope
John's story is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn't discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of background or circumstances. But equally powerful is the message that recovery is possible, even from the darkest depths.

As John looks to the future, hoping to work full-time in recovery support, his journey from consuming 19 litres of cider daily to becoming a beacon of hope for others is nothing short of inspirational.

Thank you John for sharing your recovery journey.