Friends,

I'm raising money for Alcohol Change UK! Any donations will be received by Alcohol Change UK and myself with much gratitude and you'll be able to laugh at the thought of me running for 4 hours on April 7th.

TLDR: Skip to the 4th paragraph and read from there as to why I'd like you to support Alcohol Change UK with me and why their work is important.

TLDR: Please donate towards a charity fighting the good fight in a worthy cause, close to my heart.

It's getting late, 5 weeks until I trudge around Paris for the marathon. I've been meaning to get this out to the masses but procrastination had me in its grips...unusual...( I have been ill for periods of February and a few weeks off training had me in a world of doubt. Totality of the journey, eh). Anyway, we are here, it's happening, and as planned I'll be raising funds for Alcohol Change UK.

This is a cause with personal meaning to me. The start of February brought up 4 years of sobriety for me after a struggle with addiction and mental health issues that took me to lonely places that I wouldn't wish upon anyone, but that is unfortunately not reality. Running has been an integral part of this 4-year journey for me, providing a space to learn about life and the relationship with myself, bringing perspective to things in a way I never imagined. It seems fitting to use this opportunity to try and raise a bit of cash for Alcohol Change UK and to 'enjoy' my first marathon.

I won't delve too deep, this isn't about me. I am fortunate enough to have been able to find hope and a path to relative contentment and love (by no means alone). I am blessed every day that this life is experienced sober and can face the ongoing challenges of life. I pray for those struggling with a battle with addiction in any of its forms. I know how daunting it can be to reach out when we just want to shut ourselves off, but human connection is there even when we don't think it's possible. If anyone wants to talk, or to listen, please call me - 07765441910.

But yes Alcohol Change UK. They have big objectives that stretch to the whole scope of where work needs to be done to effect positive change. A charity working across all vital fronts; to offer support for the individuals suffering, and those around them, unavoidably affected; to fund important research into alcohol harm/abuse and wider impact; and acting as a voice championing the case for addiction support and understanding, giving it visibility and keeping it in consciousness in places where positive change can be effected.

I should say that Alcohol Change have an important value that I share, that they are not anti-alcohol, but aim for harm reduction - to challenge our societal relationship and dependency upon alcohol and for it become more conscious for everyone. Something that as an addict, I have been forced into awareness of and to act on. It's not to demonise alcohol and allow the negative experiences to consume the whole picture and detract from what alcohol does give to many people's lives.

Alcohol abuse touches many lives, not just those deemed as 'addicts'. My understanding of this word has changed much through my experience, and what addiction really is, a coping mechanism without the awareness and tools to heal. It is a scale, and with alcohol so engrained in the social mesh of the UK, it is often unseen and silent, and often unconscious. It is also pretty unavoidable. Like most mental health services, alcohol services have been cut and are at inadequate standards right now. A lot of substance abuse comes from internal shame and emotional problems that make reaching for this help so incredibly hard. I was fortunate to have support around me, that I'll be forever grateful for, and was able to finally accept however resistantly. Many do not have this and so Alcohol Change's work to revive the system of support in this area is vital, to make it as undaunting and accessible as possible.

Personal relationships are one thing, but harm from alcohol is so complex and intersectional that it is hard to figure how to approach this. Alcohol Change recognise this and its relation to other social issues. They are advocates for developing a healthier societal relationship and awareness of the impact alcohol can have, as a whole and personally. While attitudes towards Mental health issues have become much more open and positive, there is still a long way to go, and the aspect of substance abuse is easily neglected. Alcohol Changes push for a more conscious relationship with alcohol and weening off the dependence as a lifestyle is part of an effort to unravel it from the intertwining with other social issues to create more clarity around them. It's a relationship that can be preventative to growth individually and as a population, in its susceptibility to abuse and the emotional disconnect is can be involved in. This push isn't just aimed at the people but also policies around things like advertising and marketing, the insidious unconscious aspects that affect our use. Improved attitudes and relationships towards alcohol can only help make personal struggles and engaging with help that much easier. It can affect anyone.

Alcohol Changes Holistic approach and current work in tackling the complexity of this issue, is with such thoroughness and nuance that I was inspired when I saw their project. If you'd like to learn more about their work, better than I can explain, check their website - https://alcoholchange.org.uk/

I appreciate the time and interest shown in reading about Alcohol Change UK and my experience and that is plenty... but if you can support financially in anyway, please do!

See you on the other side.

Robbie x

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