THE HARSH REALITY IS THAT IT IS ALL AROUND US, WITH SUMMER JUST AROUND THE CORNER AS THE SUN BEGINS TO SHINE AND THE DRINKS BEGIN TO FLOW. THE ADDICTION RECOVERY STARTS TO MOVE INTO THE TOP GEARS AS THE TEST OF TIME BEGINS TO TELL. I THINK PERSONALY IT IS A MASSIVE SOCIAL PART THAT BEING TRUTHFUL I DO OFTEN CRAVE, ESPECIALY AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. BUT HAVING JUST WITH STOOD THE MANCHESTER DERBY WITHOUT SUBSTANCES INSIDE ME ONCE AGAIN. I CAN BE PROUD THAT I HAVENT PICKED UP THAT DRINK AND I HAVE CONTINUED DOWN THE PATH OF MY RECOVERY. IT WAS SAID TO ME IN THE TIMES OF MY CHAOS AFTER REACHING OUT TO A LOCAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG RECOVERY ORGANISATION (R.A.M.P ACCORN OLDHAM) THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE MY LIFE COMPLETLY IN ORDER TO RECOVER. AFTER A LONG HARD AND PAINFUL BATTLE WITH MY MIND AND EGO I FINALY CAME TO A PLACE OF SURRENDER AS MY ADDICTION BROUGHT ME TO MY KNEES. THE PENNY HAD FINALY DROPPED AS I REALISED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DO AS SUGESTED AND COMPLETLEY CHANGE MY LIFE IF I WAS TO STAY ABSTINANT AND MAINTAIN MY RECOVERY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY STAY ALIVE. AS I WAS THEN ABLE TO START TO HAVE A LOOK AT MYSELF INSIDE AND START TO WORK ON AND CHANGE MY BEHAVIOURS, MY WAYS AND HOW I TREAT OTHERS. THIS ILLNESS HAS MASSIVE CONSEQUENCES AND THE RIPPLE EFFECT IS MASSIVE. ITS ONLY WHEN YOU PUT THE SUBSTANCES DOWN THAT THE FOG BEGINS TO LIFT, CREATING A CLEARER PICTURE AND TRUE UN ANETHATISED EMOTIONS THAT YOU STOP AND REALISE AND SAY TO YOURSELF THAAT CHAOS IS JUST PURE AND INTOLURABLE  PAIN. NOW AFTER A PERIOD OF MOURNING THE SUBSTANCES AND THAT I HAVE STARTED TO ADDRESS MY UNDERLYING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ALSO, GROWTH IS BEGINING TO HAPPEN AND MY LIFE IS MOVING FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.  (JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE AND TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME AND REMEMBER WE DO RECOVER)