Real Stories
We wanted a space where our participants could share their stories in their own words and how the impact of Adullam has helped them.
We’ll be adding more stories in the hope that it inspires and encourages others to join us on their journey.
Mick
My name is Mick and I am in recovery from alcohol addiction, drug addiction, belonging and other destructive behaviours. My story falls into two distinctive parts: Part 1: my life before February 2022 I have 7 siblings, 3 biological brothers & sisters older than...
Liam
My name is Liam, I'm 31, I have lived through a long 10 years of alcoholism. In my early 20s I had no idea I had a problem with drink, although at that time others were beginning to tell me I might have an issue but I wouldn't listen. Eventually, around the age 25 I...
Richard A
My childhood was a really rough time for me that I can remember. From a young age I had problems and because of that I think I got resented by my family. They would go on holidays and be embarrassed to take me because of my behaviour and so I would have to stay home...
Oli
Hello, this is my story of being a talented rugby player with a prosperous future ahead of him to then getting caught in the grip of progressive illness (addiction) to mood-changing, mind-altering substance and gambling for 20 years, surviving an attempt on his life,...
Barbara
From the second I awake I already know the route my day will take. It is always the same. Mundane. I try to think that maybe it will different today in some way. As if. I'm stuck in lockdown. I look around. Even the sky looks sad. What's the point? Nothing is going to...
Charlie
Everything I am facing is so demanding I’ve no idea whether I’m sinking or standing I can look focussed but I’m stuck in a daze Wondering how all this mess can be erased I never thought I would be tangled in this web Just as the old things are locked in the shed I...
Denise
My story is one of someone who is now celebrating many years of freedom from the guilt of adultery and divorce, and the pain of rejection and low self-esteem. I was raised in a fairly steady home and, being the eldest of 5 siblings, I would help my Mum a lot in the...
Teresa
My story began with a generally happy and stable childhood – I have an older brother and holidays were spent with family and numerous aunties, uncles and cousins playing out in the fields and generally having a good time. My mum was Irish; one of 12 children, so there...
Catherine
My story is not one of addiction or abuse, it is one of a pretty normal life. A good upbringing, I was close to both parents, my Dad had a demanding job and my Mum was full time at home and both were very dedicated to giving us the best start in life in different ways...
Dan
I had a normal childhood and a normal family, whatever normal means. Although I didn’t grow up religious at all. There was me, my dad, my mum and my brother and a month before my 7th birthday my mum died of breast cancer. I remember praying on the end of my cousins’...
Danielle
My Adullam journey started back in 2017 when I had a doctors appointment to discuss medication I was on. I had been on antidepressant medication for some time and it was during this appointment my doctor told me all about the Lancashire Wellbeing Service which she...
Laura
Your bucket has overflowed. This was the analogy the mental health crisis team used to help me understand what had happened to me and why. They told me that everyone has a bucket and when bad things happen our thoughts, feelings and emotions go into it and it starts...
Angela
I was born to a home of 4 brothers and 2 sisters. As I grew up my childhood had a lot more downs than ups - I was sexually and physically abused and generally made to feel useless. My parents were quite traditional, my Mum was a devout Catholic and Dad was CofE. I was...
Neil
I had always described my childhood as “unremarkable”. It wasn’t until I was required to examine my upbringing and every other aspect of my life with a psychiatrist during a second stay in a mental health unit in my 40s that it became clear it had been far from...