Andrew

Drugs & Alcohol

Andrew abused alcohol for 12 years and was also a ‘social user’ of drugs. His lifestyle moved him away from his three children, and he hasn’t seen them since they were very young.

‘I couldn’t support myself and was on a benefit, but I could always find money for alcohol and drugs. I was hanging out with a bad crowd,’ says Andrew.

‘I kept my drinking to myself and didn’t realise that my life was getting out of control until I got in trouble with the police and ended up in jail.’

The Salvation Army has made a huge difference in changing his life for the better. It initially helped him to find accommodation. Later, he got emergency help with food parcels and clothing.

Andrew attended Salvation Army community meals, which not only provide nutritious food, but also an opportunity to talk to others with similar problems and feel part of a community. Salvation Army recovery church helped him get on top of his drinking problem in a supportive environment.

‘The Salvation Army gave me a massive encouragement and through their help I could see that there was another life to the one I had.’

Andrew later volunteered in the Community Ministries office that came to his aid—at first cleaning, then helping with picking up, wrapping and distributing Christmas parcels. He now volunteers at his local Salvation Army Family Store, which he sees as a great opportunity to get into a positive routine and give something back to the community.

‘It is a motivating place because there’s always something to do and being able to help others has lifted my spirits a lot. It really opened my eyes to people’s needs and helped put my own problems in perspective. I used to have no purpose, but I always wake up and look forward to life now.’