Peter (whose name has been changed for this story) always knew alcohol had a grip on his life, even when it wasn’t a daily struggle. “Me and drink were never good,” he admitted. “Even when I wasn’t alcohol dependent, I couldn’t just go out and have two or three drinks. I’d always end up drunk, sometimes for a couple of days.”
Despite this, Peter managed to maintain a stable life for many years. He was married for 16 years, built a successful career as a self-employed subcontractor, and owned a beautiful home. But his drinking always loomed in the background. “Life was good, but I knew deep down drink could always present a problem for me,” he said.
Everything changed following the tragic death of his only son in his early 20s. “It was horrific,” Peter shared. “The marriage didn’t stand a chance after that, as much as we tried.”
The Breaking Point
After his marriage ended, Peter’s drinking spiraled out of control. “At first, it was weekends, but then it became every day—Sundays, Mondays. I’d take days off work to drink,” he recalled.
Eventually, his clients noticed. “The companies I subcontracted for told me, ‘Peter, we appreciate your situation, but we need the job finished. Maybe give us a call when you’ve sorted yourself out.’ But I couldn’t,” he said.
When Peter’s relationships and finances collapsed, he moved in with his parents. While they tried to help, his drinking made the situation untenable. “My dad said, ‘I’ve tried, but I can’t do this anymore. You need to go—today.’”
Homeless and with no money, Peter found himself sleeping rough for six months. “I think I was lucky it was summer. If it had been winter, I don’t think I would have made it,” he admitted.
Finding Support through Julian House
During this difficult period, Peter re-engaged with Turning Point and was verified by the Rough Sleeper team. He eventually gained a place in supported accommodation through Elaborate. While grateful for a roof over his head, the environment posed challenges. “It housed nearly 50 people, all of them in full addiction of some sort,” Peter explained. “It was detrimental to my recovery—you’re surrounded by it 24/7.”
With the help of Julian House, Peter was referred to Clouds House for rehabilitation. Despite complications—including the need for a medical detox due to alcohol-related seizures—he finally began his journey to recovery.
Rehabilitation and the Road to Recovery
Peter spent three months at Clouds House, an experience he described as life-changing. “It was one of the best experiences of my life,” he said. “Rehab was like the strictest boarding school you can imagine, mixed with the Big Brother House—full of characters, conflict, and hard work. But it suited me perfectly.”
While at Clouds, Peter committed to the structured regimen of therapy, group sessions, and recovery-focused activities. “I haven’t looked back since,” he said proudly. “I’ve been sober since November 27th 2023.”
After completing rehab, Peter transitioned to Julian House’s dry house. This provided the safe, structured environment he needed to maintain his sobriety. “Julian House has gone above and beyond,” Peter shared. “The staff listen to us and actually act on what we say. They’ve supported me every step of the way.”
A New Chapter
Now sober for over a year, Peter has transformed his life. “The difference I’ve noticed—not just physically and mentally, but also financially—is unbelievable,” he said. “I used to drink 24-7 and smoke, but I gave them both up. Now, when I look at my bank account, it’s a motivation in itself.”
When reflecting on his journey, Peter is grateful to Julian House for their person-cantered approach. “They stick to the basics, like weekly key work sessions, but they also go above and beyond. They’ve been incredible,” he said.
Challenging Perceptions of Homelessness
Peter is passionate about challenging misconceptions about homelessness. “People see someone sleeping rough and think negatively, but they don’t know their story,” he said.
He hopes to shift the narrative, especially around addiction. “Addiction strips everything from you—your motivation, your sleep, your life—until there’s nothing left. Recovery is possible, but people need compassion and understanding to get there.”
Peter’s journey demonstrates the transformative power of organisations like Julian House. With support, he has rebuilt his life, regained his independence, and embraced a hopeful future.
