My name is Georgia, I’m 22 years old with a bit over 4 and a half years clean.

I first picked up alcohol when I was 12 years old. Growing up with an alcoholic father, I never knew drinking every day wasn’t normal or the risks associated. My father was amazing until he drank, which turned him into a monster. My addiction quickly took off, and by 14 I was deep in poly using, taking just about anything I could get my hands on- weed, pills, uppers, downers, as long as I was high it didn’t matter. I also fell deep into amphetamine addiction and by 15 I was in serious trouble, I had multiple arrests, I was known by police, I got expelled from school and my father started getting violent. I was too scared to tell my mum or anyone for that matter that my dad was hitting me because I didn’t want him to get into trouble with the law, so when my dad gave me the ultimatum to fight him or leave the house, I left. I was homeless, couch surfing and sleeping in a park, I had one dirty adidas tracksuit that I would wear every day, I vividly remember it being soaking wet on the rainy nights, I’d sit there shaking while it rained on me with my pipe in hand. By 16 I had serious health issues, I was vomitting blood, coughing up black and couldn’t breathe. I finally went to the doctor who after running tests told me If I made it to my 20th birthday with the lifestyle I was living I’d be a miracle. I was in a deep psychosis and became a regular at the psychiatric unit of my local hospital, I was that severe they placed me in the adult unit at 15!

I came into NA at 16 and found recovery at 17. My father found recovery with me, we reached 6 months clean together when he suffered a brain aneurism. I was able to find forgiveness for him through this program and Cherish the 6 months I got with him. I now use music as a platform to share my story and my journey on recovery and aim to send a positive message to todays youth.