In this deeply moving episode of Your Choices Matter, once again, host David Lilley steps away from the traditional one-to-one interview format to host a powerful group discussion with the team and participants of Recovery Through Nature (RTN) in Derbyshire.

Addiction thrives in isolation, but recovery grows in the soil of community. We sit down with Lee, Kat, and Wendy—three individuals who have faced the darkest "puddles" of life, from the crushing weight of COVID-19 isolation to the long-term echoes of childhood trauma. They share the terrifying first step of "getting on the bus" and how a simple cup of tea and a biscuit in a Derbyshire field became the catalyst for a new life.

In this episode, you’ll discover the power of subtle leadership and how Mark and Jill foster a safe, non-judgmental space where the "guys and girls become the treatment."

You will learn about why building a pond, erecting a shelter or growing a tomato can teach the delayed gratification essential to sustainable recovery.

Empathy vs. Sympathy

You will sense the unique bond formed when you realise you are sitting among people who "just get it."

A Family in the Field

We learn how laughter can be the best medicine, even when it’s minus five degrees in the middle of winter.

Whether you are seeking your own path out of dependence, supporting a loved one, or working within the recovery sector, this conversation is a reminder that while your choices matter, you don't have to make them alone.

Grab a cup of tea, find a quiet spot, and listen to these beautiful words of transformation.

Get involved in Recovery Through Nature

To find out more about the Recovery Through Nature programme, please visit:

The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership website:

https://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/ or

Telephone: 01246 206 514

Disclaimer: A note on addiction and recovery.

Your Choices Matter episodes include a description of alcohol and drug dependence, specifically with drinking at high levels. For individuals drinking at these levels, professional help to reduce alcohol intake is typically necessary.

Attempting to stop drinking without the proper support can be life-threatening. Alcohol dependence often involves drinking daily, and a person may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they delay or reduce the amount they drink. There are services that offer expert advice and specialist detox support.

The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership is the local service that provides this kind of help, including access to a medical detox in either community or inpatient settings. They are easy to access and can be reached at 01246 206 514

Resources:

⁠⁠https://www.yourchoicesmatter.uk/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

https://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/⁠

⁠https://www.growingrecoveryinderbyshire.co.uk/

"If you have an interest in recovery, there is no substitute for taking the time to absorb the full, authentic detail of the conversation that takes place in this Podcast."

In this landmark episode of the Your Choices Matter Podcast, we move beyond the single interview to host a profound group discussion. We bring together a diverse panel—ranging in age from their 30s to their 70s—who share the raw, unfiltered truth of navigating the lonely road of addiction.

What we unpack in this episode:

• The Triggers: We explore the direct link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and addiction, featuring stories of childhood abandonment, domestic instability, and undiagnosed mental health struggles.

• The Reality of the "Bottom": Candid accounts of near-fatal health crises, from liver cirrhosis and brain damage to the terrifying cycle of seizures and withdrawals.

• The Recovery Toolkit: A deep dive into what actually supports recovery — from the 12-Step program and medically assisted detox to the power of journaling, drama therapy, and nutritional wellness.

• Relationships & Rebuilding: An honest look at the wreckage addiction leaves behind and the beautiful, hard-won process of reconnecting with children and family.

• Why you should listen:Whether you are currently battling addiction, supporting a loved one in their journey, or working as a professional in the healthcare sector, this two-hour special offers a comprehensive insight into the human spirit's capacity to rebuild and thrive after trauma.

  As our guests conclude: "Open your mouth and ask for help. Don’t be embarrassed. There is a solution."

  Disclaimer: A note on addiction and recovery

  This episode includes a description of alcohol dependence, specifically with drinking at high levels. For individuals drinking at these levels, professional help to reduce alcohol intake is typically necessary. Attempting to stop drinking without the proper support can be life-threatening. Alcohol dependence often involves drinking daily, and a person may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they delay or reduce the amount they drink.

  There are services that offer expert advice and specialist detox support. The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership is the local service that provides this kind of help, including access to a medical detox in either community or inpatient settings. They are easy to access and can be reached at 01246 206514.

  Resources:

  ⁠https://www.yourchoicesmatter.uk/⁠

  ⁠https://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/

  https://www.growingrecoveryinderbyshire.co.uk/

In this powerful and unmissable episode of Your Choices Matter, we take a deep and unflinching look at the devastating reality of long-term alcohol addiction. We explore the painful and relentless spiral into the depths of despair that so many faces, detailing the severe impact it has on both physical and mental health.

This isn't just about the individual; we also examine the profound and often heartbreaking ripple effect on the lives of friends, family, and everyone surrounding the person suffering from addiction.

Join us as we hear Andrew's poignant and deeply personal story. His journey, while filled with immense struggles, is a powerful testament to the human spirit's extraordinary resilience.

Andrew's eventual triumph over a deeply entrenched and prolonged addiction serves as a vital and powerful reminder:

'even in the darkest and seemingly most hopeless moments, recovery is not just a possibility; it is achievable'

This episode offers more than just a story; it provides a message of profound hope and enduring optimism.

Andrew's experience proves that people can truly reclaim their health, rebuild their lives from the ground up, and find compelling reasons for optimism in their future.

This is a powerful story about reaching the point of readiness, finding a method to stop, and discovering a renewed purpose, regardless of how long the struggle has been.

Help for people in Derbyshire can be found here:

https://www.growingrecoveryinderbyshire.co.uk/

• Help for people across the UK can be found here
• Help with drug addition in the UK, click here
• Help with alcohol addiction in the UK, click here

Disclaimer: A note on addiction and recovery

This episode includes a description of alcohol dependence, specifically with drinking at high levels. For individuals drinking at these levels, professional help to reduce alcohol intake is typically necessary. Attempting to stop drinking without the proper support can be life-threatening. Alcohol dependence often involves drinking daily, and a person may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they delay or reduce the amount they drink.

There are services that offer expert advice and specialist detox support. The Derbyshire Recovery Partnership is the local service that provides this kind of help, including access to a medical detox in either community or inpatient settings. They are easy to access and can be reached at 01246 206514.

Resources:

⁠https://www.yourchoicesmatter.uk/⁠

⁠https://www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk/

https://www.growingrecoveryinderbyshire.co.uk/