At the worst point of his alcohol addiction Michael Davies was drinking up to 20 litres of cider a day – the equivalent of 35 pints.
The 55-year-old ended up sleeping rough on the streets, went to prison for theft, and nearly died from liver damage but now he has managed to turn his life around.
“I did really well in school but I got lost along the way due to alcohol dependency,” said Michael, from Bridgend.
His 'bright future' suddenly changed
“I did well in my A-levels, I was good at sport, and I’d applied to Manchester Medical School to train as a doctor.”
Michael had a bright future but started to suffer from anxiety after his father died.
He was prescribed diazepam – a type of sedative sometimes used as a short-term treatment for anxiety.
“People didn’t understand mental health problems like anxiety as well back then,” he said.
“I was told to have a drink to help me relax. One pint turned into two and more. I also got addicted to diazepam.”
Struggled with addiction for 25 years
Michael’s alcohol dependency started in his early 20s and he struggled with addiction for the next 25 years.
He lost his job as a manufacturing operator and ended up living back at home with his mum Pearl.
“I was about 30 when I realised I was an alcoholic,” he said. “But I didn’t know what to do about it.”
Michael said that at the worst point he was drinking 10 two-litre bottles of cider a day and went down to weighing five and a half stone.
“I know it sounds impossible,” he said. “I can hardly believe it myself now. My family were devastated.”
At the age of 34 Michael was diagnosed with cirrhosis – scarring of the liver caused by continuous long-term liver damage.
He spent the next nine months recovering in hospital and was then supported by his family – mum Pearl, sister Karin, and brothers Keith and Derek.
“I survived it, against the odds, and spent the next eight years rebuilding my life,” he said.
Michael stopped drinking, got married, and went to study psychology at Bridgend College.
Relapsed after a work Christmas party
He got a job working for a charity in Bridgend but suffered a relapse after having a drink at the work Christmas party.
“I blew it all,” he said. “I ended up homeless and living on the streets for two years.
“The winter nearly killed me – I don’t know how I survived.
“I was begging for money for drink. I didn’t want to break the law but I was in the grip of my addiction and I started stealing from shops.”
Michael was given a community sentence but ended up in prison when he failed to comply with the terms of the order.
He was sent to HM Prison Gloucester for 19 weeks in August 2008.
“My mum died of a stroke while I was in prison,” he said.
“I was allowed to go to her funeral but I couldn’t see her while she was ill.
“That was the catalyst I needed. I decided then and there I would never drink again.
“I did it for my mum and myself.”
Michael received some treatment for alcohol dependency while he was in prison and sought more help as soon as he was released.
“When I got out I bought a bottle of Jack Daniel’s,” he said.
'I made a pledge I would never drink again'
“I took it to the crematorium, tipped it away, and made a pledge to my mum that I would never drink again.”
Michael called Alcoholics Anonymous and went to a meeting the same day.
He slept on the sofas of family and friends but found it impossible to get a job after being in prison and without a fixed address.
He was then offered a place with The Wallich homeless shelter in Bridgend and became involved with their Working in Sustainable Employment scheme.
The scheme, aiming to support homeless and vulnerable people into work, launched in June 2015 and has so far helped more than 25 people.
Michael volunteers for the Swansea Shoreline project, helping other people affected by alcohol dependency.
Hopes to get a job as a support worker
He has just moved into his own flat and is now hoping to get a job as a support worker.
He also chairs Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Bridgend.
“The scheme gave me the confidence to move forward,” he said.
Jessica Symons, client volunteer development worker with The Wallich, said: “The scheme is a great way of tackling the employment barriers homeless and vulnerable people face.
“We recognise the importance of work experience for our residents and service users to gain independence, skills, and confidence whatever their background may be.”
For more information, help and support, visit www.wallich.com
