Social drinking was always part of my family life, and as kids we would get a taste of whatever was going round, a small glass of beer and whatever else we could get when no-one else was looking. During my 10 years in The Royal Navy, my drinking escalated, having a damaging effect on my career, to such an extent that in 1968, with a minimum of two years left to serve, I was discharged as ‘Services No Longer Required’, which is slightly better than a ‘Dishonourable Discharge’. I was to carry the label ‘Services No Longer Required’ throughout my life. I was ‘Services No Longer Required’ in 2 marriages, 2 fatherhoods, with my close family (apart from my mum), my extended family, numerous relationships, one small business, many jobs and more homes than I care to mention.

The amount I was drinking was badly affecting my health. During 2004/5, I entered the same rehab three times, each time returning to Leytonstone, meeting up with the same old faces, and in days I was back on the drink. Christmas 2005, ill again, so decided to give rehab one last try, but with some important changes. I severed all my connections in Leytonstone and sought some after care help when I came out. Three months in rehab and back to London with ‘No Fixed Abode’, I attended a day centre at Victoria, who referred me to Riverside House.

4 April 2007, at Riverside House for the most in depth interview I’ve ever had. I soon realise I’m trying to enter an organisation with quite a strict regime - Lots of ‘Dos and Don’ts’, ‘Musts and Must Nots’. At the end of the interview, I’m tested for drink and drugs, and then told I’m being accepted. I’m shown around the building and then to my secure cluster, my own single en suite room, and a fully kitted out kitchen and TV lounge which I will share with three other guys. I was totally amazed at the standard of cleanliness, the facilities, fixtures, fittings and furniture. Just totally amazed!

There was a raft of help available – weekly group meetings, one to ones with a drug and drink worker, and with my key worker, staff on hand 24/7 happy to help with any sort of problems. So I made my mind up then that I was going to seek out and take advantage of any help that was on offer. I soon realised that the strict regime was to play a part in my recovery. I needed to learn discipline again, and I did, very quickly.

After 3 ½ months I was deemed ready to move from cluster style living in Riverside House over to Matthew House, a block of 20 self contained, fully furnished, fully kitted out one bedroom flats, absolutely beautiful. Come January 2007, I had been at Riverside House for 9 months and alcohol free for 12 months. Feeling strong, physically and mentally, my confidence up, and amazingly not missing the drink, I start to think of moving on. I consulted some of the staff and they agreed. Within days I’m on my way to Portsmouth to view a SAHA property.

As soon as I saw the 1 bedroom, self contained ground floor flat, I wanted it – it’s beautiful and the complex is wonderfully laid out. I was accepted and moved in during February 2007. I’ve got 3 sides of a square with a communal garden and benches in the middle, which my lounge window looks right out on. The site is about 150 yards from the high street in a very nice road.

How has Riverside House and my SAHA flat changed me and my life? A one sentence answer – from a wretched old drunk and all that entails to a happy contented guy rapidly approaching his O.A P, leading a clean, sedate, peaceful life, hurting no-one and praying it will last forever.