Greg's Story
01/03/07
Drinking! Self harming! Suicide attempts! Loosing my job! Loosing my home!
Where do I start… I think the best place would be the beginning.
After leaving school at 16 I found my dream job, a chef. It was hard work and long hours but I loved it, it was all I ever wanted to do. I decided not to go on to further education, after spending most of my life in school I couldn’t wait to get out. I was independent and wanted to earn money and pay my own way. All was going well, I had my own flat and a full time job, I couldn’t wish for anything more. My work load was increasing by the day, sometimes I think they use to forget just how young I was but because I was so enthusiastic I never complained. When I returned from work I use to kick off my shoes and crack open a can. I guess that's where it started.
At first I found that having a drink or two after work use to relax me. It was my way of chilling out after such a busy day, but it soon became much more. Over a short period of time I was drinking more and more. I found it hard to function without a drink. After being caught drinking on the job I was told to leave. This was not good, losing my job just gave me more time to drink and also gave me an excuse. At the age of 18 I was made homeless, after loosing my job and spending every penny I had on alcohol I couldn’t afford to pay the rent. I thought my life was ready to end. Struggling to find a home and work alcohol was my only way out. It helped me forget.
There came a point when I thought right enough is enough pull yourself together and sort your life out. For a few months I was living in B&B’s things were looking up I still didn’t have a job but I was controlling my alcohol. It was then that my mental health problems started, I use to hear voices. I can’t really remember the first time I became aware of them they just seemed to be there, it was like they’d been there forever. It was only when I had thoughts of self harming that I knew that the voices were not good. Looking back at my life now this was my lowest point I thought that things were never going to get better. Suicide thoughts would run through my mind on a daily basis.
After 3 years of alcohol and mental health problems I was physically, emotionally and mentally drained. It was then I made my own way to a rehab clinic and checked myself in. Spending 17 months in there with 2 admissions to hospital I thought I was getting better and ready to carry on with my life. I thought the best thing for me would be to move away from my home town and start a fresh life in a place where no one knew me. That’s when I came to Warrington. I spent my first 10 months in a hostel waiting for a home. The hostel staff were fantastic and put me in touch with 2 local agencies who they knew would be able to help me, openingdoors and ADS (Alcohol, Drugs services.)
This was life changing for me. I now have my own accommodation and I am working. I still receive support from openingdoors but my life is getting better every day.
Jane Said:
When you first lost your job and became homeless, where was your family and friends to support you?
Greg's answer:- Unfortunately I didnt have any family or friends around to support me, I had to go through it alone.
Jane Said:
Does the thought of having another drink every enter your head and if so how do you cope with these feelings?
Greg's answer:- At the moment I have alot of problems and I am not coping very well, I have been thinking about turning to drink again to wipe out the problems. But luckily I have my support worker from openingdoors helping me.
Louise Said:
What do you work as now, do you still want to be a chef?
Greg's answer:- I am not working at the moment, but I have recently applied for a part time job as a chef. I think if I was out working, it would take my mind off my problems.
Leanne Said:
Do you have any family?
Greg's answer:- I do have family, but until I am completely dry from alcohol they will not support me.