Alford alcohol support session offers a booze free brunch
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Support for those facing issues around alcohol use is available in the north-east and Accredited Sober Coach Gillian Cockburn, who runs sessions in Alford and Aberdeen is encouraging those who feel they could benefit to come along and see the difference it could make to their lives.
With monthly sessions in both the city and the Shire, attention turns to Alford on December 30 when Alford Men's Shed will host a booze free Pot Luck brunch starting at 10.30am.
Those wishing to attend should contact gillian@findingyoucoaching.co.uk
She explained: "I’m an IPHM Registered | Accredited Sober Coach and I specialise in helping people find freedom from alcohol without waiting for ‘rock-bottom.’
"Many people feel confused and worried about their drinking.
"They don’t need a drink to simply get them going in the morning, yet the amount and how often they’re drinking makes them feel out of control and miserable.
"The societal pressure around alcohol makes it very difficult to even consider the possibility that life could be better without it – yet deep down they know it’s true.
"They feel stuck."
She continued: "I was in my mid 40’s when I started to question my relationship with alcohol, but peer pressure and lack of understanding why I was caught in the drink-stop-drink cycle kept me stuck for another 12 years!
"Labelling myself an alcoholic and spending the rest of my life under the heavy cloud of ‘one-day-at-a-time’, waking up each morning believing I would fight and struggle to get through the day ‘dry’ just didn’t make sense to me.
"I'm a naturally upbeat, energetic person and this didn't sound like my thing at all.
"Then I learned about ‘grey area drinking’ and it was such a relief to know that I could find freedom from alcohol on my own terms, without the need for labels like ‘alcoholic’ or ‘problem drinker’.
"Removing alcohol from my life has opened so many opportunities. "
She explained: "Everyone who makes this choice will tell you the same thing – you just seem to vibrate on a higher energy frequency.
"I’ve been able to follow my passion to inspire and encourage others on their sober journey so they too can find true freedom from alcohol and follow their own true potential.
"The key to lasting change is community support and that’s why I started ‘Sober in the City and Shire,’ an in person meet-up group that meets in Alford and Aberdeen twice a month.
"The group is a safe, non-judgmental space where we share, receive, and offer experiences, encouragement and connection with others who understand our struggles and can help us celebrate our wins!"
Alford Meet-ups are the last Saturday of the month, 10.30am to 12.30pm, at The Cafe at Alford and District Men's Shed, 2 Murray Terrace, Alford Ab33 8PY
Aberdeen Meet-ups are the second Saturday of the month, 10.30am to 12.30pm, at The Counselling Space, 27 Huntly Street, Aberdeen.
The best way for anyone to find out more about the meet-ups is to join the private Facebook group Sober in the City and Shire here https://www.facebook.com/groups/736082391517066.
