Scott
From a young age, alcohol became my escape – a way to switch off reality, and to silence what was happening inside my mind. Over time, alcohol was not enough. Drugs followed. Before long, I was trapped in a cycle of addiction – a hamster wheel of self-hate, shame and temporary relief.
My Story
I would manage six months sober. Then I would fall back. No matter how hard I tried on my own, I could only get so far.
In 2022, I made a decision that changed everything. I reached out for help.
That is when I learned the principles of AVRT (Addictive Voice Recognition Technique). I learned how to separate myself from destructive thoughts, and how to recognise the internal patterns driving my behaviour. For the first time, I began to take control of my thoughts, my emotions, my reactions, and my life.
I remained sober for three years. But sobriety alone was not the full answer. There were deeper patterns within me I had not fully addressed, and eventually they caught up with me. I relapsed – something I had promised myself I would never do.
But this time was different. The relapse did not pull me under. It woke me up. Instead of spiralling, I dug deeper. I looked at the root causes of my behaviour and asked myself the harder questions about identity, control and emotional healing. That process changed everything.
The Real Turning Point
Recovery is not just about stopping drinking or using drugs. It is about understanding your mind. It is about addressing trauma. It is about taking responsibility for your patterns. It is about rebuilding your life properly.
Today, I live a life I once believed was impossible – not because life is perfect, but because I am in control of it. I am now at a point where abstinence is permanent. Not through fear. Not through pressure. But through awareness and ownership.
How I support What We Think CIC
Out of lived experience and professional knowledge, myself, Alana, Wal, Dave and Corrine came together to build something Halton truly needs. What We Think CIC was created to provide structured support across:
- Addiction recovery
- Mental health support
- Domestic abuse and domestic violence recovery
- Family healing and rebuilding
Based in Halton (Widnes and Runcorn), our Community Interest Company exists to create safe, accountable, structured spaces where real change can happen.
We are not just another support group. We offer:
- Recovery programmes
- Family support groups
- Mental health workshops
- Structured pathways for long-term change
There is nothing quite like this locally – a programme built from lived experience, professional development, care, compassion and real accountability.
We are here not only for the individual struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, but for their loved ones too. Because recovery is not an individual battle. It is a family transformation. And in Halton, we are here to help people rebuild their lives properly.