I used to forget my problems

Instagram: @findingamy_90

Hi, I’m Amy, from the UK, and I am 2.5 months sober. Sobriety date 17.08.2021. 

I am here to share my story because there may be others out there that this helps, maybe not, but it’s here just in case. 

I have taken some form of drug since I was around the age of 11. 

It started with smoking because it was the cool thing to do at school, this swiftly lead to alcohol again because it was cool. Dodging police and getting caught by parents. 

I then had an accident when I was 14 and fell off a cliff, broke both my heels, I was put on to a self administer morphine machine which was my first experience feeling ‘high’ I overdosed in the hospital and my mum found me grey and unresponsive. 

This then lead to smoking weed and drinking through college and inevitably dropping out. I then slipped further into being homeless, living on weed, pills and booze, sleeping on other peoples floors. I was in and out of hospital due to malnutrition, dehydration and anaemia and was severely underweight. 

A couple of years went past and after being made homeless for the 4th time I decided enough was enough. 

I then cleaned up my act, met my husband and had 2 beautiful children. 

After we lost a lot of family members over a 3 year period, to cancer, my drinking habits came back with a vengeance. I used it as a coping mechanism to mask my on and off battles with depression and anxiety. 

In October 2020 my husband took me aside and told me he was worried about me. I had been hospitalised twice in 12 months with issues due to alcohol, which when the doctors told me it was due to alcohol I told them I didn’t drink so it couldn’t be. In reality it was 2 bottles of wine a night - and something stronger as a treat on weekends. 

This lead to me becoming sober on 2nd Jan 2021. I managed 5 months before an almighty relapse that lasted 3 months. 

I came out of my relapse in august determined to get a handle on my life, I’ve now been in therapy for 6 months leading to a borderline personality disorder diagnosis. 

That leads me to now! 

I am 2.5 months sober, studying an education studies bachelor degree, determined to be the best person I can be for myself, my children, my family, friends and others who may need support one day. 

My aim here is to show people that you can go through it and come out this other side. 

Since becoming sober I finally found me. I have had days where it is just crazy tricky, but the good days ALWAYS outweigh the bad. 

If you are thinking about it. Then do it. 

If you are scared - reach out. If you find it overwhelming- reach out. If you have a question - reach out. 

Drugs are cruel, confusing and controlling. They are isolating and manipulative and more often than not you don’t know you have a problem until you stop.

There is an incredible sober community out there. I have met some amazing people since becoming sober and my life is so much better off. For this I will be forever grateful. 

So if you take nothing more from this other than the following then that’s ok…

You can achieve everything you set out to do. You can be anything you want to be. You deserve a world of happiness. People care about you. We are all routing for you to succeed. Don’t be ashamed of your battles, they are your story, use them to built upon and grow. Surround yourself with things and people that benefit your life and let go of things that don’t. 

This is your life. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be sober.