Firstly, I just would like to say that I love George Street. I have been going since in opened in 2016. Without it, my mental health would decline. Not only has it helped me in my recovery, it has given me the connection with liked minded people. We help each other.
There is always something going on. I have done mindfulness meditation there. We have has counsellors in to help others. There are opportunities to sit down with a professional to review your financial situation as well as craft and crochet sessions and even yoga, and we have a lovely coffee shop where we can chat. I honestly don’t know what I would do without George Street. The people who work there are always there to answer any questions.
My name is Nathan: I am an Alcoholic/Addict - my sobriety date is 11/12/2017.
I've been around Alcoholics Anonymous since 2012 but couldn't surrender and fully admit what I was, who I am or what I needed and wanted to be. I arrived at George Street Social (GSS) on Thursday 14th of December, day 4 of not drinking, still rattling and feeling very unwell. But was here for my first meeting this time round. I can remember that day like it was yesterday, I was welcomed with open arms and met some amazing people and finally felt safe.
I heard an inspirational share that day and left the meeting with loads of hope. GSS became a place I came to on a regular basis in my very early recovery. I got to know the people who attended meetings here and the friendly staff downstairs. I can remember when I got sober saying “that's it I'm hanging up my knives, I'll never cook again” after being in the catering industry for many years.
I also always remember saying at the start of this journey I didn't know what I wanted - I just didn't want what I had, my life was a mess, and I was at rock bottom. Everyone at GSS helped me massively and when I reached just over 10 months sober a job came up at the Road to Recovery Trust at GSS working in the kitchen and I jumped at the opportunity, working in a safe environment surrounded by people in recovery.
I felt I'd landed on my feet and for the next 3 years loved working there, training and working with others in recovery, giving them hope too. I thought I'd never leave but I did. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I was given at the Road to Recovery Trust and for helping me build a foundation in both my recovery journey and work / life balance - one day at a time anything is possible.
My name is Kelly, I'm a 46-year-old alcoholic and addict. My clean date is 29/12/2023.
I first tried getting into Recovery in my early thirties. At the time I thought alcohol was my only problem, so going to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) seemed natural. I had previously used drugs, but because I could swap from one to another, I really didn’t think that drugs were an issue. The longest period of clean time I had was 3 yrs 10 months.
Fast forward to my late 30s - I found myself living in Sheffield after spending six months in a rehab down there. I got myself into a relationship with someone that I had met in the rehab. His drugs of choice were heroin and crack cocaine. It wasn't long before we were both using these drugs, along with alcohol and any tablets that would have an effect on us.
After 7 months of daily doing this, he decided that we should come to the North East to try and get away from it all - I reluctantly agreed to this. Due to the pressures of Covid lockdown and domestic violence the relationship eventually ended. I was now on my own, and I justified using cannabis, alcohol, tablets, and occasionally cocaine. In my addict head, I had done well to stop the other drugs, so it was OK to use these every day. It reached a point in 2023 where I felt in a very dark place and truly did not want to live anymore. It was only because of the pain I knew I would cause my family that I swallowed my pride and contacted the Gateshead based drug and alcohol service where I had previously worked.
Through doing this I eventually got a detox in Manchester and in January 2024 started a 6-month day rehab in Gateshead. Every week in rehab, we were taken to an Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting at George Street Social. At the start of my journey, when I was really physically unwell, Jimmy, the CEO, saw me and showed genuine concern. It was lovely to see a friendly face from when I had previously been in recovery in Newcastle.
Over the months of rehab, and after leaving rehab, I have continued to use the meeting rooms at George Street for the various Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings that are based there. I have a friend who attends Cocaine Anonymous (CA) at George Street - I am going to try one of those meetings as well. I also attend the occasional Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting at George Street. It really is a wonderful place with a lovely coffee shop where people can meet, chat, and enjoy a lovely environment.
It's good for me also as it's close to local bus and metro routes as walking too far is painful due to a condition I now have due to years of abusing my body.
I also took part in the day trip to Seahouses last year. It was a wonderful fun day organised by the Road to Recovery Trust. I am now 15 months clean and sober thanks to having the support of NA meetings that are accessible to me. It's also lovely that my friend Jimmy has seen me get more physically well in the time I have been accessing George Street.
