Discover how the absence of Recovery impacted one person’s life drastically. Read this compelling story about struggle, survival, and the critical need for recovery to regain control and well-being.

My Recovery from Crime, Addiction, Cancer and Mental Health problems was a challenging and rewarding journey. I cannot always control the events that occur in my life, but I have complete control over my responses to those events. It is our response that ultimately determines the outcome

In 1983 after being clean and sober for 2 years I was still holding on tightly to the old ways. My reaction to most situations was to attack first.

I had yet another fight or rather I had exploded and inflicted unnecessary pain spilling the blood of a fellow member of a 12-step group that was helping me better my life.

The violence happened in front of a number of friends, people who knew me and had befriended me, but this time they no longer supported my behaviour.

I sat alone in a café next to Shepherds Bush Tube Station, in a dark empty void. For the first time, ever, I accepted there was more wrong with me than just drink.

My options were very limited, bridges were already burnt. The desperate nature of my circumstances became crystal clear.

My whole life was hanging by a thread!

I was between a rock and a hard place, I could easily say f**k it and run, go back to my old life or do I face up.

To “Face Up” I knew I would have to change.

Through emotional pain and desperation, I made an immensely significant decision as only the dying do!

I am Roger and Roger had to change!

That moment of inspiration took away indecision.

I wrote myself a list of resolutions…

Stay away from the first drink and first drug – one a day at a time
Stick with the winners; and I’ll have a better chance of becoming one too.
Give up swearing and learn to bite my tongue
Take off the gloves and keep my hands in my pockets
Give up smoking and try to live healthy lifestyle
Obviously it was eating meat that made me violent, so I immediately became a vegetarian!

Reality check > The same man would drink again – I needed to ‘Change’.

‘Change Your Life’, so that it’s easier to not be tempted… Roger D.

Hardship + Effort + Resilience = Recovery

My sobriety has been tested many, many times; death, divorce and cancer but the most traumatic happened while rowing the North Atlantic

I heard those most dreaded words. “Man OverBoard”.

Mike Johnson, 21, was thrown overboard during rough seas at night on 14 February 2016.

To my recall, my last sighting of Mike before he was lost to the sea was 60/70 minutes after going overboard.

Even under those most tragic and stressful of circumstances; we were picked rescued I preferred to sit up in the quiet of the ships bridge and enjoy a coffee.