Support and relationships – these two words sum up how I finally emerged from my darkness that was homelessness and addiction after years of torment, desperation and shame.

To put it in context, I eventually became homeless due to the disease of addiction, stripping me of everything – dignity, any values and any kind of relationships, other than a bottle and isolation.

I found ‘one’ support worker in my hostel who believed in me, helping me walk through the experience, and into supported accommodation – without his help, and friendship, I’d not be writing this, its that simple and each Christmas since (this’ll be my fourth) I pop a little gratitude gift to the whole hostel thanking them, and one for him.

My other relationship and support is with my recovery fellowship – now I tried four different ones before I found my safe place, still there today, and will always be, giving service that was freely given to me when I started. Its bloody hard work, this recovery lark!, one day at a time is how I approach it.

I’ll always be an addict, in recovery currently, but I’m learning more and more about myself, my past, my present, and a view of a future where opportunities can come if I keep my side of things honest – sharing with people my feelings, emotions and thoughts on the day.

I’m privileged and grateful that I can actually write things like this, I’ll be nervous when it’s sent in for reviewing, did it help, make sense or maybe I should have been funnier – I don’t know, but what I do know is, the people reading this will support me because of the relationships we’ve built together, stronger each day building up trust, honesty and compassion – the three blocks I build my life on today.

Cheers, and if this helps just one person, then life is brighter for a few minutes ☀️