Content Warning ** This podcast includes mention of attempted suicide.**

Mike and Tim both grew up in normal families but suffered dislocation as their families had to move about for work or safety.

Mike grew up in a war-torn region of Europe and was forced to escape his native country as a refugee, first to Germany and then to Australia. In each move he was considered an outsider and bullied and this served to reinforce the trauma he had already experienced. Mike started drinking in his mid-teens, finding it gave him the ability to forget his past. Drinking regularly he also started taking drugs in his late teens, which eventually forced him to rehab for an ice addiction in his early 20’s.  Depressed, isolated and after attempting suicide, Mike eventually found Alcoholics Anonymous and has been sober for over 3 years.

Tim’s parents were relocated with work often, moving states and towns regularly during his school life. Always the outsider, being bigger than most kids his age worked to his advantage as well as his sporting ability. Tim started drinking with his peers around 13 years old and started recreational drugs in his mid-teens to alleviate his anxiety. He ended up in hospital for his drink/drug problems after attempting suicide and was able to stay sober for periods of up to 6 months but couldn’t stop drinking. After many rehab attempts Tim had run out of options and eventually went to AA and has been sober for over 3 years.

If you think that alcohol may be a problem then Alcoholics Anonymous could help you. Give them a call on 1300 222 222 or see their website aa.org.au.