As some people may be aware, I struggled with alcohol and drug issues throughout a large portion of my adult life due to horrendously poor mental health, I have recently been diagnosed as autistic which has provided me some answers on my struggles.

I went through years without having any help, I had attempted to get help in my late teens and got stuck between NHS mental health team saying I need to stop drinking and the drinking specialist saying I needed to sort my mental health out, I was in a state of absolute crisis during this period of my life, I look back on this and I am still amazed I hadn't taken my own life.

I then went multiple years poisoning myself with drink and drugs trying to escape the horrific anxiety and not feeling like a real person unless I was pissed ☹️

In 2016 I finally managed to escape the cycle (oddly enough, quitting smoking was the turning point), I had to shut myself away from my social life and become a bit of a recluse as I could not socialise without alcohol.

A couple of years later, I discovered running. It gave me a way to be around people without pressure — limited eye contact, no obligation to talk, and small, manageable interactions. It also helped that everyone shared a common interest.

Three weeks ago, I finally received my autism diagnosis. I’m still processing it, and alongside the relief, there’s also a strong sense of being let down all those years ago.

Reason I am sharing this, I want to convey how important the work that Alcohol Change are doing, they are not trying to ban alcohol or ban people having fun, they are trying to help raise awareness and reduce the serious harm that can come with alcohol abuse, especially for people who are already vulnerable.

Alcohol Change very kindly offered me a charity place at the Brighton Half Marathon, and while this is the main event for this fundraiser, I’ll also be looking to raise money across other races I take part in throughout the year.

April 28th I will be celebrating a decade sober 🙂

Thank you for reading, and thank you for any support you’re able to give ❤️

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About Alcohol Change UK

We are Alcohol Change UK. We work for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.

We are not anti-alcohol; we are for alcohol change. We are for a future in which people drink as a conscious choice, not a default; where the issues which lead to alcohol problems like poverty, mental health issues, homelessness are addressed; where those of us who drink too much, and our loved ones, have access to high-quality support whenever we need it, without shame or stigma.

Your donations can help by:

* £20 could support around 20 people reduce their drinking through the Dry January® challenge.

* £30 could help us develop and deliver more training for front line workers and improve support for dependent drinkers.

* £40 could cover the costs of supporting 16 people for six months to reduce their drinking through our Try Dry® app.