Content note: This story includes references to alcohol and substance use, and the suicide of a partner.
When Nicola reached out for support in April 2024, she had come to a difficult realisation.
After years of alcohol and substance use, things had become unmanageable. The death of her partner by suicide the year before had made life even harder, and alcohol had become her main concern.
Although Nicola had experienced problems with substance use since her teens and early adulthood, this was the first time she felt fully committed to getting help. One of the biggest motivations for change was the forthcoming birth of her first grandchild.
Her recovery journey began at Spark’s Darwen Café Hub, where she started attending a group that helped people explore their addiction, understand its impact, and think about the changes they wanted to make. From there, she joined community groups on weekends and later moved on to a programme designed to support people in the early stages of recovery as they worked towards abstinence.
As her confidence grew, Nicola progressed to DEAP, Spark’s community rehabilitation programme. The programme gave her the opportunity to explore her addiction on a deeper level and work through some of the emotional issues linked to it.
The journey was not always straightforward. Nicola experienced a number of relapses along the way. But she continued to engage with support and kept working towards recovery.
Eventually, she completed the programme.
Reflecting on that experience, Nicola says: “I found the whole experience of completing DEAP truly life-changing. I entered the programme as a lost and frightened person, and I left as a more confident version of myself, I now feel like a woman.
“I owe my life to James. It wasn’t an easy process by any means, and there were times when I felt like leaving. However, I had a strong group of peers around me who supported me through those difficult moments.
“The most valuable part for me was gaining an understanding of what drives my thoughts and behaviours. I can now manage my emotions in a much more constructive way, using the tools I have learned.
“My daughter and grandson have been part of my journey, and they have always been welcomed with open arms at Spark.
“I would highly recommend the DEAP programme to anyone.”
Today, Nicola says she no longer feels overwhelmed by anxiety. She feels more confident, more self-assured and better able to trust herself. She is more sociable, feels more connected to the people around her, and enjoys life in a way that feels meaningful to her.
She also feels that the support she received helped her come to terms with the loss of her partner and better understand the circumstances surrounding his death.
Recovery has also had a positive impact on Nicola’s family life. She has rebuilt her role within her family and become the supportive mother and grandmother she wants to be.
After completing treatment, Nicola decided to give something back to the service and community that had supported her. She became a volunteer with Spark, which led to a paid part role in the recovery team where she now supports people using the service. Nicola is also active within 12-step groups, helping newcomers feel welcome and settled when they attend meetings.
Whether at Spark or in the wider recovery community, Nicola is known for her warm, friendly and approachable nature. Today, she continues to support others who are taking their own first steps towards recovery.