Content note: This story includes references to alcohol dependence and recovery.
Five years ago, George* was struggling.
After another failed attempt at university and another failed relationship, he reached out to Inspire for support. But at that stage, he wasn’t ready to stop drinking.
Looking back, George is honest about where he was at the time.
“I initially reached out to Inspire where I began a flirtatious dance almost that what I could get away with under their care, a detox here and there another reduction plan. Anything other than stopping drinking.”
For a long time, alcohol felt like part of his identity.
“I didn’t want to give that part of me up, the despair and chaos became part of who I was as a person.”
The turning point came when he decided to come to Acorn.
“The day I decided to come into Acorn was the day I decided I wanted to live, and to live would mean to stop drinking. That’s what it comes down to at the end life or death. And to choose life is to choose all the positive and negatives which life as a sober person will face.”
Even then, the adjustment was difficult. Rehab brought structure, routine and time with other people, all of which took some getting used to.
“It took me a while to settle into the rehab setting, getting adjusted to the schedule and to just being around people in general was incredibly challenging. I think my counsellors would agree I was like an infant at first still trying to find out how to just be myself.”
With support from his counsellor and the wider Acorn team, George began to reconnect with himself.
“But through the emotional guidance of my counsellor and Acorn as an organisation, they gave me the space to find myself again. And its uncomfortable at first, getting to know yourself all over again rejecting ideas and theology which had kept me warm and with drink for so long. Its jarring; that feeling of realisation.”
When George left treatment, he wrote a goodbye letter. One sentence from that letter has stayed with him ever since.
“I don’t fully know what’s in store for me, but that’s okay.”
Today, those words still reflect how he sees life.
“Life is a vast unknown still and I am one and a half years clean. The uncertainty is beautiful to me.”
When George first shared his story, he was volunteering at Acorn and hoping it might one day lead to employment. Since then, that hope has become reality.
Previously, most of his experience of work had been in family businesses and hospitality. Although he does not have a degree, he completed two years of university before addiction took over and he had to leave.
Now, he has been offered a part-time role within the organisation.
Earlier, George had written ‘With hopes of employment’. Since then, that hope has become reality. Last week, he was offered a part-time job within the organisation.
For George, the opportunity has meant more than simply having a job.
“And it just goes to show that no amount of planning and mapping out of your life can prepare you for the unknown, for the good and bad. It is not to be understated the amount it has done for my confidence to be seen and recognised as a member of a team.”
While starting a new job, he is also continuing to build his business and focus on the future.
“All you can hope for in life is to be present, to be the best version of yourself in the here and now. Put yourself out there because the worst thing which can happen is you look a bit foolish. So, keep trying, keep adapting.
“I will keep going with starting the business, with employment, with bettering myself. With being good and true to myself.”
*Name changed to protect privacy.
