The 36-year-old, from West Belfast, says he would have worked all week, to spend his wages on cocaine and alcohol. But that all changed.
A Belfast man has opened up about the moment he decided "enough was enough" after years of substance abuse.
The 36-year-old, from West Belfast, says he would have worked all week, to spend his wages on cocaine and alcohol. His life had been turned upside down, and he lost his family, friends and children.Speaking to Belfast Live, Gary said: "My mum was an alcoholic and she passed away when I was young. My drinking started when I was around 14/15.
"I lost everything. I disappeared. I lost my family, my siblings, my father, and took myself off to Co Down to live, to get away. I have six children, and lost them, and that was a cycle too. Losing my children while my addiction was getting worse." After moving to Lurgan, and having a baby son with his partner, Gary stayed sober for 12 months. But, he soon lost access to his son, as he began to drink again."I was sitting in Newcastle, and got phonecall about the kids, and foster care was mentioned. That is when I said 'enough is enough' and I went into rehab on June 9. That was the turning point for me.
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