It’s not always the person passed out in the street or the loud, unruly drinker at the bar. Often, it’s the smiling colleague, the high-performing team member, or the “good time guy” – like James (whose name we’ve changed for privacy reasons), a service user at Helping Hands Community Project who’s bravely shared his journey.
“There was always someone to go to the pub with.”
James started drinking more heavily when he went to university as a mature student at 23. “I embraced student life,” he says. “There was always someone to go out for a drink with me. But no one ever asked to go bowling, or to the movies. I became the ‘good time guy’ – always up for a pint.”
He was sociable, funny, and well-liked. But beneath the laughter, alcohol began to take root in his life – not as a social tool, but as a silent dependency. That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about alcoholism, he says: “People couldn’t see what it was doing to me because I was good at hiding it.”
“I lost my job after rolling the company car.”
James’ career was the first casualty. “I lost my job after driving drunk and rolling the company car,” he shares, matter-of-factly. But the personal toll went deeper. Alcohol eroded his relationships – he fell out with most of his friends over petty arguments, which led to isolation.
That isolation only deepened his addiction. “Drinking alone meant no judgment, no one to question it. It became normal. I could drink all day – and no one would know.
Getting Help: “Change Grow Live saved me.”
It wasn’t until James hit rock bottom that he found help through Change Grow Live – Leamington Spa. The organisation provided him with one-to-one counselling, structure, and understanding.
With their support, he entered a 14-week rehab programme and stayed sober for 9 months. “Relapsing was hard,” he admits, “but it was also part of the journey. Now, I’m taking things one day at a time. I’ve learned not to overcommit, and to say no when I need to.”
When asked what advice he would give someone who’s struggling right now, he says simply: “Seek help. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Why This Matters
Alcohol misuse affects 1 in 5 workers in the UK. It costs the UK economy £7 billion a year in lost productivity and workplace absenteeism. But these are just numbers – behind each is a person like James: trying, slipping, recovering.
At Helping Hands, we work closely with individuals facing addiction, homelessness, isolation and more. Recovery isn’t linear, but it’s possible – and it starts with compassion, support, and community.
Where to Get Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol:
Change Grow Live (CGL) – www.changegrowlive.org
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Drinkline (NHS) – Call 0300 123 1110 (Free, confidential help)
Let’s use this week to talk openly about alcohol. To remove the shame and start building bridges for recovery – one day, one conversation at a time.
Helping Hands is a Leamington-based charity supporting at-risk people through practical help, mentoring, community meals, and wellbeing programmes.
Want to support our work? Share this post, follow our journey, or get in touch to volunteer or donate – www.helpinghandscharity.org.uk
