Our Initiatives

'Art in Recovery' Workshops

James

One of our members determined to break his addiction, James has kindly taken this opportunity to share his story and his feedback, in the hope that it may inspire others to seek help and get support for themselves.

Read James's Story

Hi, I'm James and I'm an alcoholic.

My life became unmanageable through drinking on a daily basis and after years and years of drink there was no other way left for me but to attempt to put it down for good.

Alcohol was my daily medicine, it was my way of coping with day to day life, to cope with trauma that was constantly in my head, the stress of absolutely everything.

I just could not deal with life sober, but I didn't realise that I had become dependant on alcohol throughout many years of drinking.

Drink got the better of me in the end and today I can put my hands up and admit I am powerless over it.

The last 2 years of my drinking I became very poorly, but even when I was told by the doctor at the hospital my liver was starting to fail that wasn't enough to stop me.

I got so immune to drinking, it even stopped doing what I wanted it to do. Even though I was constantly chasing the drunken feeling to forget everything and feel no pain, even that had stopped working.

Finally I wrote a suicide note to my family as I couldn't see another way out of my head.

I got all the family pictures out and put them all around the kitchen worktop with tea light candles and that was me done.

I got a chair and hung myself on some exposed gas pipes.

I was gone, out cold, but it seems something was watching over me that night. I got cut down and saved.

Even after trying to hang myself, I still carried on drinking... that's the power of addiction.

"Alcohol was my daily medicine, it was my way of coping with day to day life, to cope with trauma that was constantly in my head, the stress of absolutely everything.

I just could not deal with life sober, but I didn't realise that I had become dependant on alcohol throughout many years of drinking.

Drink got the better of me in the end and today I can put my hands up and admit I am powerless over it".

Even after trying to commit suicide, I still carried on drinking... that's the power of addiction.

The last 2 years of my drinking I became very poorly, but even when I was told by the doctor at the hospital my liver was starting to fail that wasn't enough to stop me.

Then I found the Comeback Addiction Recovery Drop-In Centre and Recovery Art Studio on Abbey Walk in Grimsby.

Alongside the advice and support, I started using the 'Art in Recovery' workshops to start being creative again. It totally changed my mindset by giving me the direction, self-confidence and a self-esteem that I'd never found before.

It really is amazing what they have to offer to people. The support, love and kindness they have shown for me whilst I was recovering was absolutely amazing.

One of the strongest things I found being here is that 'honesty' is so important and it has taken me a long way, in many ways.

'The Comeback' offered me the support I needed to get me back on my journey which I'm well on my way now. Living life on life's terms.

Once again a massive thank you to the 'Comeback' in Grimsby for everything they have offered to help keep me well, because its worked.

I would like to thank every single person that keeps this place up and running and all the hard work that nobody sees to try keep people well from drugs/alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

So thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart, I am truly grateful to be where I am today.

"Being at the Comeback totally changed my life by giving me the direction, self-confidence and a self-esteem that I'd never found before".

I am now nearly 8 months sober and working a 12-step programme to keep me sober.

I had to take time for myself, to find myself again and although I am back working to make ends meet, I'm channelling everything I have into a lot of different things in my spare time and it's working.

Keeping my mind and hands busy.

Working on my fitness has become a new passion, Motocross is another. I'm getting back in to my singing and I try to paint on a regular basis.

I also stay connected with staff at the Comeback and regularly get involved with their community projects, get-togethers and fundraising.

Only you can do it,

Only you can change,

Only you can decide,

YOU HAVE TO PUT THE WORK IN.