Meet David

“If you fall in love with life, life will fall right back in love with you.”

David’s relationship with alcohol began in childhood, shaped by a family culture of heavy drinking and traumatic experiences. By his teens, alcohol had become a coping mechanism, and this pattern intensified during his 14-year career in the army, where drinking was not only accepted but encouraged. Despite functioning through work and deployments, David’s addiction deepened.

His turning point came in 2017 when he accepted help through a veterans’ group. Initially resistant, David began attending one-to-one sessions and group programmes, slowly shifting his perspective on addiction and recovery. With support from Hartlepool Borough Council, the Royal British Legion, and the army, he entered treatment at a specialist centre for veterans.

He embraced the programme, faced his character defects, and began rebuilding his life. He stayed in supported accommodation, joined AA, and found purpose through volunteering and mentoring others. His recovery journey led him to college, where he excelled academically and eventually enrolled in university to study mental health and learning disability nursing.

Today, David is over four years sober. He’s reconnected with his children, continues to grow through reflection and service. His story is a testament to the power of connection, community, and the courage to change.

To read David’s full account of his inspiring story, please see below.