Leanne Testimonial

How much were you drinking and what problems was it causing? 

Alcohol has been a huge part of my life since the age of 16. My father’s addiction to it, which I was acutely aware of from early childhood, did not deter me from picking up the bottle.

I hit the ‘hard stuff’ when I initially started drinking while completing my GCSEs (22 years ago!) The rest, as they say, is history. Or rather, history that continued to repeat itself. That is, until I found JTT coaching almost four months ago…

What was the key reason you wanted to change- what motivated you? 

When I had my breakthrough call with Sandra in March, I was at my own personal rock bottom. I was drinking to the point of ‘black out’ more frequently than I had ever done before (it had always been a problem, from the moment I started drinking, all those years ago) and I was on the brink of losing my family. I have had many, many blackout experiences that should have been the ‘final straw’. I have put family members in danger, myself in danger, I have humiliated and verbally abused my husband… I could go on…

It took my sister to tell me that I was an alcoholic to give me the reality check that I so desperately needed. I naively believed that I didn’t have a problem as I wasn’t drinking every day. I justified my weekend binge drinking and mid-week glasses of wine to unwind by telling myself that I deserved it. It was my way of grabbing some ‘me time’. On reflection, it makes me shudder to think that I almost reached the point of having infinite ‘me time’ as my husband couldn’t take anymore and was prepared to leave with my sons if the situation didn’t change.

How did you discover me? 

I found JTT in a Google search and I contacted Sandra immediately.

Were you sceptical this method would work for you?

I wouldn’t say that I was sceptical about the JTT method working but I was definitely afraid that it wouldn’t as I had SO much to lose.

What did you try before to cut down or have a break from alcohol?

I had tried previously to cut out alcohol completely and to moderate but to no avail. One glass was never enough and as a result, I turned in to someone that neither my family nor I recognised.

You went to a concert newly alcohol free- what was that like?

I recently attended my first concert AF, and I was feeling a little anxious. I shouldn’t have been. I realised halfway through the concert that I was in the minority of those who were actually fully present. Most were queuing at the bar, running to the toilet constantly or being propped up by their partner. I felt sorry for them as they were not getting good value for the money they paid!

What difference has being alcohol free made to your life?

When I started the programme, I was doing it solely for my family but as the weeks progressed, I realised that I wanted to do it for myself too. Now, I am not ashamed to say, albeit a little selfishly, that I am embracing an AF life just for me. I am enjoying life so much more than I have done in recent years as I don’t have fear or anxiety when I wake up after a night out.

I know that I haven’t offended anyone. I know that my husband is not angry with me. I know that I haven’t vomited over the bed again.

I just know and remember EVERYTHING because my body wasn’t poisoned the night before.

A recent weekend away with my husband to celebrate our anniversary saw us both up at the crack of dawn for breakfast, enjoying our surroundings and basically utilising everything the hotel had to offer. Things we never did before! Having an extremely supportive husband has helped me to excel in this programme. He has significantly reduced his alcohol intake (only drinks when socialising with friends or the odd pint or two when we eat out).

In his words “This programme has saved our marriage”.

What would you say to someone thinking of signing up to work with me and what are you most excited about now that you are alcohol free?

If you are thinking about signing up for JTT, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. This programme will not only give you freedom from the clutches of alcohol, it will also give you the confidence to explore other areas of your life that are holding you back. This is what it has given me, and I am excited to see where this newfound confidence takes me.