Janet

When Janet was first referred to The Matthew Project in April 2025, her life had reached crisis point.

What had begun as drinking to help her sleep had gradually spiralled into something far more overwhelming. As her alcohol use increased, so did the impact on every part of her life. Financial pressures mounted, she lost her home, and eventually found herself homeless and emotionally exhausted. The weight of isolation, instability, and declining mental health became too much, leading to a suicide attempt that left her deeply vulnerable.

When Janet first came into contact with the service, the priority was simply creating a safe and supportive space for her to begin again. Through assessment conversations and early planning, she explored the support available and was invited to join the Recovery Support Programme and drop‑in sessions.

But recovery is rarely straightforward.

Soon after her initial assessment, Janet disengaged from the service and stopped attending. For many people, this could have marked the end of the journey. Instead, it became part of it.

Five months later, Janet returned with support from another agency. This time, she spoke openly about her relapse and her wish to try again. There was no judgement waiting for her — only a willingness to listen, reassess her needs, and help her rebuild.

Through regular one‑to‑one support and group sessions, Janet began working on the deeper causes behind her alcohol use. Together with her practitioner, she explored emotional regulation, relapse triggers, self-confidence, and the difficult experiences that had contributed to her earlier disengagement.

Slowly, she began reconnecting not only with recovery, but with other people.

Through the Recovery Support Programme and drop‑ins, Janet formed friendships with others who understood the realities of addiction and recovery. Those connections soon extended beyond the sessions themselves. Using her love of cooking, Janet started hosting dinner parties for her new friends, creating moments of warmth, laughter, and belonging that had once felt impossible. Since re-engaging with support, Janet has maintained her sobriety, attended almost every session, and become an active and valued part of the recovery community.

Her story is a powerful reminder that relapse does not mean failure. Recovery is not always a straight path, and stepping away does not prevent someone from finding their way back. With compassion, persistence, and the right support, Janet was able to rebuild stability, connection, and hope for the future.

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