Video NationYou are in: Kent > Video Nation  | |  | | |  Film maker:
Nigel Hope
Length:2'30''
Date:1st July 2005
Subject:"Alcoholism" | | | | | |  Watch this video
You will need RealPlayer to view the videos
(The BBC is not responsible for the control of external websites)
| |  | | | | Title: Alcoholism
For most people a beer in the sun is something to be enjoyed, but for Nigel drink is a demon. He has reached rock bottom. His alcohol addiction has cost him more than just his job and his home. Where does he go from here?
| |  | | | | | | | | | | | | Links:
Main BBC Video Nation Website
Video Nation Kent archive
Filming Tips
Take part | | | | | | | |  | | | | My son died on 5/6/07 he was a binge drinker, depressed on medication and in the system for help. we loved him so dearly but in july he died due to his illness because thats what being and alcoholic is its an illness. any suffer gets my prayers perhaps they will help. i dont know, but it costs me nothing to pray for them.
Anon
Nigel, I know you are such a good person that doesn't deserve what you are goung through. When I first went to AA I'll fully admit that I thought the room would be full of loosers who had nothing in theor lives but alcohol, how wrong I was. The rooms are full of the nicest, most thoughtful people you'll ever meet who are trying or have already succeedied in bettering their lives to a point where they are content and happy. I'm not preaching as actually at this moment in time I'm far from better. I worked my butt off to get somewhere with my career, moved to the highlands in the middle of nowhere at the age of 22 in 2002, 4 miles from the nearest town, just so I could do a job that I loved....in the last 2 weeks I've put that in the dustbin, please no one else that is reading this make the same mistake. After 2 weeks with AA I find peace in those rooms which I didn't feel when I first knew that I had a problem, I was determined to do it 'myself',anyone reading this needs to know that doing it alone is impossible, I am keen on the outdoors and the idea of a 'pure' way of living, I've even sailed national and inetrenational events, my GP advised me to do more exercise...all I did by taking that advice was run myslef into the ground. Please anyone who thinks they even may have the start of a problem get in touch with AA, I so wish I had listened earlier, it would have saved me. Take care for now,
Lisa
What a powerful video this is. I have enormous admiration for Nigel for making that - very honest and brave. I wish him all the best.
Jane
My darling man died recently from the vicious effects of alcohol. He was an intelligent, professional, kind and loving man, who, the doctors now tell me, was drinking at least a bottle of vodka a day. I had no idea, he was a secret drinker - I never saw him with more than a glass of wine in the evening. It appears he hid it in his car and in the office. I'll never have the chance to ask him or help him..he was in a coma by the time I got to the hospital. The only outward symptom was a week of jaundice that I'd asked him to go and see about. I feel I've been completely duped by alcoholism, and I am so sad and lost.
Jane
what a wanderful brave man this guy is I hope he has all the support he needs and the medical and pyschological needs through his journey.I like to just say he has alot of guts to face all the things he has done wrong and doing this can give him a new start in life . I just hope that all his family and friends will also give him a new start and remeber that patients and kindness and love never comes to a end. I would also imagine that it would of been hard for the familys and friends too but what makes it different is that alcohalism is a illness and can be cured if the persons want helpI truely hope nigel get all the help he needs he should not be punished for his unwellness he has already done his time and so have so many other persons made the wrong choice or just have not had the right education about alchol and its dangers.
Stephen
Recovering addict and alcoholic of over 30 years using, found freedom through Christ and with the help of Kenward Trust
David Neame
I find alcohol is usualy a relief from the stress of day to day living. It can get out of control and if you are not carefull it takes over as an addiction. I managed to catch myself before I had a fall. Take up a sport or a pass time for the stress releif. You will enjoy life again and make new friends.
Eddie
I so know the pain, I gave up for two years with the help of AA and slipped, Im back in the pit about to lose everything, I dont remember going to bed last night, or throwing up everywhere, I'm now going back to the rooms, I want my life back, before my family walk away take good care Nigel it works if you work it thats all I know!
Glenn
I lost my Mum and Dad a few years ago and have drank quite heavily since, just to get me to sleep mostly, but I have found that don't seem to want to get through a night without drink. It's only the evenings really, it doesn't affect my day, but I want to stop. I don't feel I can go to AA or anything I want to do it myself. I have hated the couple of stone I've put on since drinking and hate how I look in the face, red! So 4 weeks ago I joined an all ladies gym and I am getting better but still not great, I'm sat here drinking my third glass of red secretly hoping my 2 friends that are here won't want any more so I can finish it. It's a battle Nigel, you can do it and so can I.
D
This was a brave and important step to take, Nigel. I wish you all the best for the difficult journey ahead. I'm not overly religious but there's a phrase from Corinthians that I use as my own motto and it might help you - "be on guard, be true to what you believe, be courageous, be strong, and everything you done must be done with love" Good luck with your journey, mate.
Daz
I hope you manage to sort it out Nigel. I am also an alcoholic although I still seem to be able to separate it from work and stuff - at the moment... but I can't imagine getting through the day, especially the weekend, without a drink and that frightens me. To me, up to now, drinking is an essential part of existing. But I may have found something to wean me away - learning to ride a motorbike - and I'm crossing fingers and hoping for the best. Good luck.
Nicola
I know exactly what you are going through, Nigel. You express a desire to stop drinking so you have hope. That is all you need to start with. You can stop. I did, but it took me a long time to stay stopped. I have done that with AA and the 12 Step Programme. I am now clear headed, no longer full of fear, no longer under the control of drink, my family have returned to me, I have a sense of peace and wellbeing. I am becoming more confortable with myself and life is good. I have not been alone in this and I am not alone now. Good luck with it Nigel, there is a life beyond your wildest dreams if you work for it.
Anne
Nigel you have got to fill your life with other subjects ,stay posivetive you have some some nuts to go on line keep the faith steve
s mcgowan
I've been clean for over a decade now, but I was also where Nigel is now, and it will seem to him as if he is standing at the bottom of a deep well, looking up at a pinprick of light, which is the freedom from this wicked drug that he so dearly wants. He will have to be strong. He will have to accept that he may fall off the wagon at some point....but keep getting back on. The rewards are great indeed. I noticed that his name was Nigel Hope. For him to speak in this way means that he actually HAS some hope. For some, rock bottom is death. Good luck Nigel, and get in touch anytime mate, I understand.
John
I know what it feels like - been there, done that... True alcoholism turns the body's reactions to alcohol upside down. For most people who go out on a 5-pint lager binge, alcohol acts as a poison; you wake up with a thumping headache and its gone by 11 o'clock on the following morning. For my body, used to 10 pints of beer or more a day, alcohol is normality, normality the poison. When I wake up in the morning, I have to hold a pen with two hands to write my name without shaking. Once I've had a beer, I can work and function normally, type my translation work on my computer and answer the phone without even slurring my speech. For those who like to go over the top on occasions, my advice is to keep it for the evenings. Never let it invade your daytime hours - that was my biggest mistake. Richard
I know of this misery, I'm in it at the moment. Courage Nigel! All will be well.
Name not given
Looks like you've made the first step. Have a go at looking at the other 11. best wishes.
Tim
Nigel is so brave to talk about alcohol and how it has affected his family - there are so many so called responsible people who are affected by alcohol either their own addiction or their partners - they don't know what to do!
Mary
Where does he go from here...Detox, Rehab and AA. like I and others like us do. You can turn your life around Nigel if you really want to. Give it a go and keep on. You will not regret it. Get your self back or better still find a new self and gradually your family will see this and respond. You can do it..One day at a time.
Kieron
| | | | | |
You are in: Kent > Video Nation |
