I drank alcohol for 28 years with dependant drinking in the last ten. I also had a dependency on heroin in the last two. My life was totally unmanageable and if I didn't stop I was going to die.

A mixed bag of things have helped me stay in recovery, AA, a stable home, friends, determination, fear of the past, new horizons, meditation, yoga, taking healthy risks, a strong desire not to go back.

For me recovery means peace of mind, surrender, happiness, taking healthy risks, discovering who I am, having a chance in life.

Now my life is stable, it’s a journey, discovery, some lows, some highs, sometimes a little dull, mostly quite good, and my relationships are good.