I’ve had my fair share of rough patches. I was knee-deep in the swamp of alcoholism, and clawing my way out was no joke. The drink was my best mate and my worst enemy, all rolled into one.

Drinking was fun to begin with, a laugh, a few pints with the lads. But before I knew it, I was drinking daily, and too much. Alcohol became my crutch, something I thought I needed just to get by. Waking up with the taste of last night’s booze in my mouth became the norm. I’d roll out of bed, feeling like I’d been hit by a truck, and the only thing that could fix me up was another drink. It was a vicious cycle, one that had me by the throat.

I remember this one time, after a night out, I woke up in some dodgy alley, literally in the gutter, no clue how I got there. My wallet was gone, my phone was gone, and so was any shred of dignity I had left. That was the wake-up call I needed.

Because I didn’t have any money, I had to walk six miles to get home. At least it gave me time to think. And I decided to quit drinking.

First thing I did? I cut ties with the enablers, the so-called mates who were more than happy to keep me drowning. It’s tough, saying goodbye to people you’ve known for years, but if they’re pulling you down, they’ve got to go.

Next step, I found a support group (Alcoholics Anonymous). Yeah, I know, it sounds like a load of rubbish, but there’s something about spilling your guts to a room full of strangers that just works. They’ve been where you are, and they get it, they really do. It’s a brotherhood, a sisterhood – a lifeline.

The withdrawal was tough. It was like my body was rebelling against me, shaking, sweating, the whole shebang. But every day I fought through it, I came out a bit stronger.

Here’s a piece of advice, find something to fill the void. For me, it was boxing. Every punch I threw was a fight against my old self, every drop of sweat a testament to my will to change.

It was about learning to forgive myself. You see, guilt’s a heavy burden, and it’ll keep you chained to the past. Forgive yourself, and you’ll find the strength to move forward.

I’m not gonna tell you it’s all sunshine and rainbows from here on out. I still have my bad days, days when the bottle seems like the only friend I’ve got. But then I think about how far I’ve come, and I remind myself of the clear skies ahead.

So, if you’re out there, stuck in the same rut I was, just know that you can climb out. It’s a battle, but it’s one worth fighting. And when you do make it out, you’ll see, just like I did, that there’s a whole world out there, waiting for you – clear skies and all.