I had a normal life until I was 11 years old, it was then that my mother and father started to fight. The fights were very violent and quite frightening. I have since learned that this was mostly my mother's fault. It became apparent that we were left outside of the pubs a lot. It all seemed so normal at the time.

    My two Brothers and I suffered a terrible few years the scars are still with us. Our house was sold and we ended up on Bad Council Estate in Leeds, which has since been knocked down. The violent drinking bouts got worse and I left home although I was 14 I still found a job but suffered terribly over leaving my younger Brothers. I found a bed set a job and the peace was heavenly. I then moved to Coventry to live with my Uncle's family and eventually got married to a lovely lady and had two daughters.

    My drinking started in Coventry no one thing made me drink but I gradually drank more and more over the years. I started my own Business and was extremely successful. I employed 72 staff and enjoyed all the benefits of being my own boss. I had money cars and plenty of time to drink! I did not know then what would happen because of my drinking. My wife told me about my behaviour but I ignored her and her advice. I would not listen to anyone. Worst of all I was out on the road driving to my catering sites and drinking all day. I still functioned but I do not know how to this day nor do I know how I kept my license.

    I sold my Company and borrowed £100 thousand from the Bank to buy, yes you guessed, a Pub/Restaurant. What a nightmare my own "Booze" on tap! Needless to say the venture was doomed from the start I drank morning noon and night and had plenty of friends or so I thought. Eventually my Wife left me and went back to her Parents which I do not blame Her I went Bankrupt and moved to a bed set once again, I then went on cider and anything else I could get.

    I had defrauded the Customs and excise while I was drinking so I ended up Prison for 12 months which was a disaster. They put me in charge of the Officers mess and bar! Needless to say I was in seventh heaven and came out a complete wreck. I moved from City to City for ten years. I was sacked from numerous chef jobs and was in and out of several mental hospitals all over the Country. I did stay dry for a while but when my farther died I started to drink again. I went back to prison, as I wanted the peace and friendship I found there the first time. This was not meant to be and I found it very hard to cope without the booze second time around.

    I was begging in Soho when I decided to try and turn my life around I moved to Nottingham where through AA I stopped drinking. I did have re-lapses but following hepatitis jaundice and a bleeding throat I stopped four and a half years ago. I could not suffer those terrible withdrawals again and I still have the scars of drinking Epilepsy and digestive problems but I am dry.

    I now have a partner and look after an elderly relative. I have money in the Bank a nice car and my sobriety, which I never thought I would have. My Daughters and ex wife will not speak with me and that hurt's. All the rest of my family have come back to me and forgiven me.

    NEVER GIVE UP HOPE ONCE YOU STOP DRINKING -- EVERY THING ELSE FALLS INTO PLACE.