Carol grew up in a family affected by her dad’s drinking and violent behaviour. Feeling like the black sheep of the family she started drinking around 12 years old - alcohol changed her perception of reality and she only wanted to drink if she could get drunk. Alcohol led to considerable problems in Carol’s life causing her to do many things that she later regretted. She was in and out of rehab and detox centres over 18 times before she found the safety of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that changed her life. Nearly 30 years sober now she remembers back to when she couldn’t stay sober for even 30 minutes.

Peter also grew up in dysfunction with a dad that drank and physically abused the family, leaving him with low self-esteem, scared and scarred.  He too turned to alcohol around 12 years old and alcohol solved all his problems, squashed all his feelings and made him fearless.  Drinking took its toll on Peter and he first sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous in his early thirties, he lasted six years before leaving. Some 20 years later an AA friend helped him back into the fellowship and he’s now been sober in AA for 15 months.

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.