Recovery can feel hard to picture when you’re in the middle of it. Addiction often isolates people, leaving them believing they’re the only one struggling or the only one who hasn’t managed to stop. These are real stories from people who have been where you might be now, honest reflections on what life was like, what helped them change, and what recovery looks like today.
Gambi:At 65, I never thought I'd stop drinking gambi success story 1
For most of her life, Gambi carried a heavy emotional weight on her own, believing she had to cope without asking for help. Rehab wasn’t something she ever imagined for herself, until it became the step that changed everything. In this video, she speaks openly about breaking through years of emotional numbness, and discovering happiness without alcohol.
Scott:I felt accepted for who I am
“When I arrived at Abbington House, they asked me if I wanted a hug, and it made me feel at ease straight away”. Scott shares how Abbington House welcomed him as a gay man with ADHD, and how the team made sure he felt safe.
Kyri:Isolation Fueled My Addiction
Kyri returned to Abbington House over the festive period to share how far he’s come since completing treatment – and to reflect on the loneliness that once shaped his relationship with addiction. When Kyri first arrived, he describes feeling isolated and disconnected, unsure how to talk about what he was carrying.
Mikey:From Prison to Purpose
Mikey’s journey began in chaos – addiction, prison, and 68 convictions before the age of 30. He had lost both parents and all hope. But in a prison counselling room, he broke down and opened up for the first time. That moment changed everything. Today, he’s the Treatment Manager at Abbington House.
Gary:I was at the lowest point in my life
“A year ago, I was locked in my room, deep in psychosis from cocaine use. I didn’t know if I’d make it out”. After years of battling addiction and mental health struggles, he reached his lowest point, a time marked by fear, withdrawal, and hopelessness.
Ben:Homelessness to Hopefulness
“I spent years in and out of recovery programmes. Abbington House taught me how to love myself again”.
After completing a six-week stay at Abbington House, Ben found self-acceptance, lasting sobriety and a new purpose. Ben is now over one year sober, he’s volunteering to support others on their recovery journey.
Charlotte:I was anxious coming in
“It wasn’t just the treatment. It was the people – the staff at Abbington House – that changed everything for me”. For Charlotte, entering rehab for alcohol felt daunting. She arrived anxious and unsure about what to expect this time.
Lee:Understanding the Roots of Addiction
“For me, drugs and alcohol were a way to cope with pain and suffering, it was always about survival”.
Lee’s story is one of deep reflection. He came to Abbington House carrying a lifetime of emotional pain and trauma.
Jon:20 Years in Active Addiction
“I spent 20 years battling addiction. Now, I’m helping others find their way out”. Jon’s experience with addiction spanned decades before he found recovery in January 2023. Since then, he has dedicated himself to giving back by joining Abbington House as a support worker.
Gavin: I Thought Life Was Over for Me
“When I arrived at Abbington House on 24th June 2024, I was a broken man. Underweight, lost in a powerful addiction to methadone and heroin, and filled with fear. But from the moment I stepped through the doors, the staff welcomed me with open arms and reassured me every single day that things could get better.”
Why Share OurStories?
These stories serve as lifelines for anyone who feels alone or hopeless. Recovery can seem overwhelming, but as Gary, Charlotte, Lee, and others have shown, lasting change is possible. Their courage, honesty, and resilience inspire our entire community.
If you’re considering rehab, either for yourself or a loved one, our team will walk you through the first step with safety, honesty, and understanding.