"CAT Saved my Life"

A review of Govan Addiction Services Project by Alison Sands written on Tuesday 27th of September 2011

Hi, My name is Alison (44). I am a recovering acloholic and have been a patient with the CAT team, Greater Pollok/Govan, Glasgow, since January this year.

To cut a very long story short, last December, acting on good advice given to me by a friend of the family, who is a Nursing Assistant and helps people with alcohol and/or drugs addiction I asked my GP to refer me to the Community Addiction Team at Greater Pollok.

At first, naturally, I was terrified at this course of action but also knew I needed help in any way, shape or form. I was so desperate and depressed (about my mother's terminal cancer and my own physical and mental health). Also, being unemployed through ill health was all new to me, as I have been employed since I was 15. So everything was worry, stress, worry, stress, etc. I was at the end of my tether with everything, including life itself!

Nervously, I went to my first interview and having got through that, I headed straight to Lidl for my alcohol stock for the night.

A week or so later I met my designated Addiction Nurse and as soon as we met there was a connection, which you either have or you don't when meeting someone new. This helped dramatically for me, as from then on I never stopped talking and felt the weight gradually lifting off my shoulders and I knew then it was the time for me to move on and get myself well again in many ways. With Marie's help I knew I had to do this and, for the time ever, I really wanted to.

We talked about everthing; from me being adopted at 10 days old right up until the present day, which pretty much includes absolutely everything, good and bad! I even kept an honest diary for a while, to give Marie an idea of my day to day, mundane life.

Marie, from then on, was my rock and I actually enjoyed my meetings with her and came away always feeling positive, much happier and relaxed about many things that were going on my life. Marie, who is a very busy person, in business and also, I would imagine, her family and personal life always made me feel as I was her only patient and was there for me no matter what happened or how I felt and always made me feel better and put me in the frame of mind to get well and start a new, positive life.

I could write forever here but I will try and make it short, although I cannot describe in two words my experience with Marie and the CAT team, who were all very friendly people.

On 10th April 2011 I started my home detox. I was still drinking a little and this would be the first time in a lot of years that I would not have the crutch of alcohol make my mind "numb" and helped me sleep, albeit not a proper, deep sleep.

I was home detoxed with Marie's help I survived and also managed to get some sort of sleeping pattern going. Since my Detox I have never looked back and feel so much healthier and happier, apart from my other "ailments", of course.

I have not touched a single drop of alcohol since 10th April and MOST OF ALL I feel more alive and mentally happier than I have been in years.

Without Marie's time, effort, hard work, emotional and mental support during the lowest and darkest times of my life, I, for one, know I would not be here today, literally NOT be here, as my health was going steadily downhill when I met Marie in January 2011. Marie is so understanding, helpful, full of knowledge and experience and in my own personal opinion the best thing that has ever happened to me, she deserves a medal. All my worries have been shared and I owe it all to Marie, who has literally, in my opinion, saved my life and has given me the strength and motivation to start a new life, with my new friends, without the need for alcohol. One day at a time.

I would like to thank the CAT team and especially Marie for her help, support and guidance in my new life. My time is over with Marie now and on the only downside, not having Marie in my life is like losing a best friend. I will miss her so much.... the world is a better place with her in it.

So, anybody reading this and thinking there is no hope, please get in contact with Community Addiction Team in your area and look forward to a better, healthier, happier life, without alcohol or drugs, and it will save you a fortune. We all have to start somewhere.

Thanks for reading this and thanks again !!! Good luck for the future and remember - "One day at a time".

Alison, Eastwood, Glasgow .

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