You don't need a New Year to transform your life...
- natashaarculeo
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Here at ACT, we love a story about change…
Michael came to us struggling with his alcohol addiction and with other health issues, including chronic back pain and type 2 diabetes. With his needs too high for our temporary housing, we were keen to find an alternative solution for him because he was wanting to make a change. In our experience working with service users – change doesn’t come from pressure, it comes from personal determination.
Michael was quick to engage positively with our Lead Recovery Worker, Bruce, who helped support him, together with Turning Point, where he responded brilliantly to both individual and group work. It was evident he wanted his life to turn around, after a complicated relationship with alcohol extending 20 years. Noticing his sheer determination to change, we applied Turning Point for him to be considered for a detox and recovery programme which was speedily approved. Spending 12 weeks in a dry-house on the programme, Michael embraced rehab, remaining committed to sobriety. We were then able to offer him a property with us in our Recovery Accommodation Service, providing him with a ground floor flat, suitable for his mobility needs.
Michael has found a new direction after getting sober – he is now a Peer Mentor with Turning Point to help support other service users on their journey to recovery. With ACT, Michael continues to attend organised events provided for our service users, where he enjoys coffee mornings, nature walks and sober space meet-ups, where he happily shares his story. He keeps in touch regularly with Bruce.
Bruce has said “Michael is an inspiration and supporting him to take all the steps to get him to where he is today has been an absolute privilege. He is showing the world what you can accomplish when you have your heart set on a goal.”
To further help his mental health, he has registered with the Recovery College and is now currently taking a qualification in Health Care through Realise Futures. Through his sobriety, Michael has been able to reconnect with family and build a future with possibilities.
Michael adds, “I find this very humbling being invited to share my story. I can relate to those struggling and I hope my story helps others find a way forward. I have found myself often hidden in the background, quietly helping others, but having my story shared, puts me in the foreground – and I really hope it helps.”
Michael is proof that you can build a healthier, more fulfilling life in choosing recovery. If you would like to take the first steps, click on the link below, where you can self-refer or refer someone into our service:
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