Sharing My Journey: From Struggle to SoberAF

skye570
Aug 19
2 min read

First, I’d like to say a huge thank you to The Lancashire & North West Magazine for featuring my story in their September issue. By opening up about my journey so honestly, I hope to help others feel less alone and inspire anyone who might be struggling to take that first brave step.

My Journey

My life changed forever in 2017 when my husband Andy suffered a catastrophic heart attack that left him with a severe brain injury. He spent three years in a specialist care facility before passing away in 2020. Watching the love of my life fade away in front of me was utterly devastating.

In my grief, I turned increasingly to alcohol to numb the pain. What started as glasses of champagne at business events became bottles hidden at home. I told myself I was coping, but the truth is, I was barely holding on. I’d fall over and tell people it was vertigo, when really I was completely drunk and couldn’t feel my legs.

By late 2024, my drinking had spiralled out of control. I suffered panic attacks, collapsed trying to go cold turkey, and ended up in A&E. That was my breaking point.

The Turning Point

I checked myself into rehab, and for the first time, someone said to me: “You’re not a bad person. You’re an unwell person who needs help.” Those words unlocked something in me. For the first time in years, I felt hope.

Why I Founded SoberAF

Seven months into my sobriety, I wanted to turn my experience into something positive. That’s why I created SoberAF, a non-profit peer-to-peer support community for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol.

SoberAF isn’t about rigid rules or a one-size-fits-all programme. It’s about choice, freedom, and community. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply looking to take a break, SoberAF offers a safe, non-judgmental space to connect with others and define your own path.

There’s so much shame and stigma, especially for women, around addiction. My mission is to remove that stigma and replace it with honesty, support, and hope.

Life Now

Sobriety has given me a second chance at life. I swim every day. I laugh again. I walk without pain. Most importantly, my son has his mum back.

If you’ve ever typed into Google, “Am I drinking too much?”, you probably already know the answer. You’re not broken, but you do deserve help. And that’s exactly why I started SoberAF.