A forces veteran has marked two years of sobriety by joining other participants of Growing Lives in a walk to celebrate the personal efforts involved in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Ex RAF diagnostic radiographer, Ryan Williams, has been sober since September 2020 after years of alcohol addiction wrecked his marriage, caused him to lose his job and his home.
Ryan's addiction also led to the damage of the nerves in his leg to the point where he now walks with a stick. He said: “In the early days of recovery, you ask yourself: ‘Is it worth it?’
"Physically, it is painful. Then there are the mental aspects too. It took me a good four months from my last drink for things like my manual dexterity to return, for the shaking to stop.
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“If you’ve been a heavy drinker, once you make the decision to stop, you have to put as much effort into recovery as you did into your addiction. I have tried to quit drinking before 2020, but it was always to appease others."
Ryan continued: "True recovery is only achieved when you do it for yourself. I feel that National Recovery Month is a celebration for me to say ‘Well done Ryan’."
He recently joined members of Growing Lives, a project run by the award-winning Derventio Housing Trust, who celebrated National Recovery Month with a series of activities ending in a four-mile walk. The Ilkeston based project aims to build confidence in people referred to its services to help their recovery from drug and alcohol addiction through the Chesterfield-based charity, STAND TO Derbyshire Veteran Community Services.
This charity offers a range of services for ex-forces personnel, including alcohol support, recovery and tackling isolation. AJ Wilcox, wellbeing project officer for STAND TO also attended the walk.
He said: “Being ex-military, we always enjoy being outside in the fresh air. The exercise is good and it’s a helpful way to chat to people too, rather than having a conversation inside four walls.
"It’s been nice to come out and mix with the guys from Growing Lives.” Other activities for Recovery Month included a trip to St George's Park in Burton on Trent to play walking football and Rockboxathon Recovery Fest.
Ryan added: “This is the third time I’ve been at Growing Lives. It’s great that it gives us opportunities to do different things, and the people are really friendly too.
"I made a garden trug here in the workshop once and gave it to my mum for Christmas. She was blown away to receive something I had made.”
People who go along to the Growing Lives sessions in Ilkeston also take part in weekly walks to enjoy the fresh air and chat with one another. The organisation’s focus on outdoor exercise has recently seen it crowned runner-up in the project category at the Active Lives in Erewash Awards.
Jackie Carpenter, assistant director of strategy at Derventio Housing Trust, said: “Every day is a recovery day with us at Growing Lives, but there is something so positive for people who are turning their lives away from drugs and alcohol to take a moment to reflect on their achievements. Recovery Month enables them to do just that."
“Recovery is tough. It’s painful, and there can be setbacks along the way. The team at Growing Lives go for a walk together once a week and I know that people who use our services find it a real highlight of their visits here.
She continued: "It’s a great way of forging friendships and relaxing, and of course getting some gentle exercise in the fresh air too. It helps people get a new perspective on things.
"So it was very appropriate that we finished off our Recovery Month activities with one of our favourite walks over the Bennerley Viaduct.”
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