'I used to drink 12 pints a day, now I help others quit alcohol'

Jimi Wilson runs group sessions from his local library

Three years ago Jimi Wilson was drinking well over ten times the weekly recommended alcohol limit every week - now he's not had a drink in over two years.

"Usually I would drink as soon as I finished work, which was usually two o'clock in the afternoon, right up until 10 or 11," says 40-year-old Mr Wilson.

He now volunteers with North Yorkshire Horizons, which supported him when he wanted to quit drinking.

The group provides support for people with drug and alcohol dependency from its five hubs in Northallerton, Selby, Scarborough, Skipton and Harrogate and holds smaller drop-in sessions in rural locations like his home town of Bentham.

"I finished work maybe two years ago due to my capability. I would leave work early on many occasions due to anxiety and it turns out it was my alcohol use which was driving my anxiety" says Mr Wilson, who has remained out of employment during his recovery.

NHS England recommends "men and women are not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis", which Mr Wilson was exceeding on a daily basis.

"I was drinking around 150 units a week, around 20 units a day, about 12 pints of strong lager.

"My health had declined massively, I was off work, signed-off long term, I couldn't really get around so much due to the pressure I put on my body, so it was just a case of getting alcohol delivered from supermarkets.

"I was just drinking at home, signed off work long-term, drinking at home, all day, every day."

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Jimi Wilson wants to help people in rural communities who are at risk of isolation

Mr Wilson, who has been sober since March 2023, now runs rural support sessions with North Yorkshire Horizons.

The sessions, which Mr Wilson leads alongside a support worker from the group, involve sharing his story and "lived experience", which he says aids his own recovery as well as helping others.

"When I am working closely with the treatment worker, she will say 'Jimi was sat in your chair three years ago and look at him now' and I can see little glimmers of hope in people's expression and their eyes.

"Just giving people an ear and allowing them to speak is massively helpful to people, helps them realise they are not alone in these rural communities."

"It's giving people that bit of hope and just reassuring people there is help."

Although Mr Wilson has been out of work since leaving his factory job, he hopes to be able to use his volunteering experience to get full-time employment.

"I'm sticking with my volunteering, getting as much experience as I can, so that when my health allows it, I definitely will be getting a job in drug and alcohol recovery services."

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