Heartbeat: Volunteer who battled alcoholism is now helping other sufferers

December 9, 2019

A former alcoholic has told how she has become a volunteer at our Trust so she can help others in their journey to quitting booze. Rachel Bassett used to drink 12 pints of cider a day and found herself jobless and depressed. But after her referral to the alcohol team, she turned her life around. She now shares her experiences with patients who are seeking help.

Speaking during Alcohol Awareness Week she said: “My recovery has gone from strength to strength and I’m now doing something worthwhile.

“I’ve been there and I know how awful it is. To me, cider was my world. I’d drink up to 12 pints a day. I couldn’t function normally without a drink in my hand. I lost my job and I was housebound because it affected my health so much. I was diagnosed with malnutrition because I stopped eating and my weight dropped to six stone.

“Many patients who come into the clinic for treatment want to talk about what they are going through to someone who understands and I can relate to them. They can feel nervous and agitated. I can help calm their nerves by telling them what to expect.”

Rachel attends clinics each Monday and Tuesday at City Hospital where she speaks to new patients. “I’ve had some very positive feedback, with some patients asking if I will be there when they come for a follow-up appointment.”

As well as interacting with patients, Rachel has also been assisting the alcohol team at promotional events. “When I think back to my time as an alcoholic I would never have thought I’d be here volunteering and helping patients. I could barely walk, let alone talk during my darkest days. But I’m now able to offer my insight and advice to others going through a similar experience. I hope that it helps them in some way.”

Lead Alcohol Nurse, Arlene Copland said: “The feedback we’ve received from patients who have met and spoken to Rachel about their experiences has been positive. Rachel shows them that there is hope and that they can recover and go on to live a normal life.”