Comfortable In Your Own Skin
We recover Out Loud so others don’t suffer in silence
Empowered Women, Empower Women
Series of powerful and authentic photographs from a collaboration with Christopher Donaldson. The ladies have overcome adversity in their lives and the lens meets them where they are at.
Photo Cred : Christopher Donaldson
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisDon68
Helen
Ive struggled with my mental health for many years and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. It has been a roller coaster of ups and downs which I feel will be a life long situation for me. What I have learned over the years are better ways of coping. In the past, although at the time I did not realise this, I was using alcohol to self medicate, to take the edge off and although I was never alcohol dependent, I began to understand I had an unhealthy relationship with it which inturn caused my mental health to decline further. My friend had reached out to TRAC UK to help with her own demons and advised me to get intouch. I met Annalice, a warm and friendly person who I knew instantly we would get on well and I have now subseqently met more of the group. A bunch of women from different backgrounds with different stories to tell. Personnally, meeting these ladies has had a positive impact on my mental wellbeing. It is a safe, non judgemental supportive safe place where you can talk freely. I have come away from her Retreat into the Community informal meet ups feeling inspired by the other ladies. The world can be a harsh place for sensitive souls, we need to focus on our wellness, look out for each other and I feel this concept is well embedded into the charity and I’m so pleased to have got involved.
Helen
Clare
Hi, my name is Clare and I was born in Bedfordshire in 1979. Alcohol was the norm in my family, alcohol was always around me and all adults drank.
I started drinking at the age of 14. Today I know my mental health was very low and alcohol made me feel better. I can call myself a functioning alcoholic, that was the case for many years with keeping a job down and bringing up children. I never dealt with what was going on inside of Clare, I just pushed it down with more alcohol.
Drugs were also in the mix and after several failed relationships, domestic abuse, and having 5 children to support on my own I turned to using crack cocaine and heroin.
Eventually, I ran from my troubles up to the northeast with my two youngest sons. The three eldest stayed with their dad. I planned to get clean and come home. I got clean from crack cocaine and heroin but went straight back to my drug of choice alcohol. This ended with me getting charged with neglect for getting so drunk I could not look after my two boys. This is where my recovery journey began in 2018 at the age of 39. I can not take any mind-altering substances. I’m a woman in recovery that knows what happens if I do.
I have built myself up from losing everything, including my children with the help and support of many recovering women, support groups and TRAC.UK.
I met Annalice in a coffee and connect zoom meeting in my second year of recovery in lockdown. The inner awareness and support I get from the women-only group has encouraged me to feel worthy and keep going. Volunteering for the charity taking a Women’s Way 12 steps meeting weekly with joining in any activities I can to keep me where I am today.
All my children are in my life with an additional two children I have had in recovery with my husband. Marriage happened last year and with hard work from further education, I started Teesside University in January 2023 to study mental health nursing. For many years I had no life, I was not living, just existing. Anyone can have a life if they understand they need to work on themselves and at recovery. Addiction will not disappear but you can change with willingness and support like I did.
Finding TRAC UK has changed my life, helping others is a key part of my recovery and will continue to do so. We do recover together.
Heather
Hi i’m Heather, 39 years old and started drinking when I was 14. The years past and surrounded by people drinking was just the norm.
My anxiety hit an all time low when Covid hit. I drank more not realising it was affecting my anxiety even more. I put the shakes down to anxiety.2021 and I finally went for help after my drinking was affecting my marriage and my childrens life.The doctors said i’ll die if I don’t get help. I registered with ‘we are with you’. I was put on a reduced drinking and slipped up by drinking a little extra.30/10/2021 I collapsed in so much pain. I went to A&E, where I had an emergency high tablet form detox. I was kept in hospital for 5 days with no visitors. I had liver failure, hepatitis and dementia. The liver nurse said i’d of been dead by December 2021 if I hadnt of gone for help.After leaving I was put on Accomprosate to help with the alcohol cravings and had regular appointments.I joined a womens only group started by Annalice and supported by Trac and their community.Fast forwarded 383 days and here I am today. No more medication, liver as it should be and the continued support from Trac.I hope to give people hope. We do recover. Life can be good.
Michelle
Hi I’m Michelle.
At 55 years old, I’ve been in recovery from drugs and alcohol since September the first 2020 and a member of TRAC and TRAC’S Women Only Recovery since.
Annalice and the other women within TRAC have been an invaluable source of support and friendship throughout my recovery. Long may this continue.
During my time with TRAC and Women Only Recovery I have been a part of many amazing fun and educational groups. During lockdown I was helped and supported by TRAC more often via zoom. This included Coffee and Connect, and a zoom cooking class. We also met weekly to walk and talk and for a Christmas Treat met and walked some Alpacas.
During this time TRAC purchased a foldable, transportable walking aid for my use because I have mobility issues. This insured I could attend walks out of area . In June 2021 a group of us went on a retreat to Lordstones, a two day glamping trip, lots of fun and laughter had by all.
During 2021 a group of us took part in and completed the Stephanie Covington Helping women Recover course. This involved a combination of both zoom and face to face sessions. When we met face to face I travelled to Newcastle via train which took me out of my comfort zone and gave me more confidence.
My connection with TRAC and Women only recovery has helped me immensely throughout my recovery. I’ve had the honour of meeting many inspiring, brave and beautiful women during this time, I’m honoured and grateful beyond words. I have my life back.
Nici
Hey, my name is Nici. I’m 31 now and had a problem with alcohol from as early as 12. I remember knocking about the streets of Brotton where I lived at the time and always wanted to be drinking. Asking friends to chip in for a bottle of cider.
As I got older, 14/15+ it was the norm for us teens to be out on a weekend over the park with our bottles of ‘MAD DOG’ or MD2020, 3ltr of 3 hammers, bellabrusco or some other rancid tipple of choice.
Alcohol has always been a part of my surroundings, like second nature. Everyone around me drank all the time, so didn’t seem out of the ordinary.
I left a lot of destruction in my path up until I was 24, I’ve hurt people, I’ve been in some dodgey situations and I’ve broke the law. All under the influence.
Since becoming a Mam at 25, my habits did ease off. Not greatly, but I wasn’t going out any more, didn’t socialise with the same people. Life changed massively, as it does when a little one comes along. It didn’t stop me drinking though, it just wasn’t as destructive. I still drank to cope with all sorts of things, from childhood traumas, domestic violence and the lack of ability to cope.
In April 2022, I had enough. I wanted to be better for my son. He deserved better & so did I. I realised after an NLP session that I have the power to change my perception.
I referred myself to Impact On Teesside, started exercising and stopped drinking alcohol.
I celebrated my 365 days sober achievement and honestly I have never looked back. I’ve evolved into a woman who I have never been before, I am the woman I have always needed.
I set up my own women’s empowerment dance business in January 2023, and it’s going from strength to strength.
My little boy has achieved so much in just over a year & life in general for us both has never, ever been so good.
Me and my inner child are at peace now.. Still got some work to do with the young adult Nici, but I’ll get there.
I’m so happy to have met Annalice recently and becoming a member of Women’s Only Wellness group. The work Annalice has done for so many women is more than inspiring! I cannot wait to meet up with her and some of the amazing ladies.
