Spending New Year’s Eve in recovery

“When I walked into rehab I was nine-and-a-half stone. I’d got involved with cocaine and heroin. It just absolutely destroyed me, the whole lot of it. Physically, mentally and spiritually: I was done.”

Christy McMullen achieved sobriety from addiction on November 5 2005. His first New Year’s Eve spent in recovery, just eight weeks later, is an evening he remembers today: “I was stuck in rehab. A lot of people walked out of the rehab and went for a drink. I don’t know why I stayed, but we just danced the night away.”

According to data from Public Health England, Bristol has an estimated 6,677 alcohol-dependent adults. This represents 1.8 per cent of Bristol’s adult population – far higher than the average for England as a whole, at 1.34 per cent.

Consumption of alcohol spikes in December: an independent poll conducted by alcohol charity Drinkaware last year found that two thirds of drinkers in the UK consume more alcohol than usual during the festive season, with many feeling pressure to drink on “seasonal special occasions”.

For Christy, maintaining recovery is something that requires regular attention. “One day at a time,” he says. “I know it’s a cliché, but I can only stay clean today. Tomorrow’s not even here, and yesterday’s gone.”

In normal years, venues like Lakota would be full of revellers on New Year’s Eve – perhaps consuming more alcohol than on other nights out because of the special occasion. Photo: Giulia Spadafora / Soul Media / Lakota

Many people in recovery relocate to escape the familiar triggers of their hometown. Originally from Liverpool, Christy moved to Bristol in 2006.

“There were a lot of pubs in Liverpool, so I grew up in the drinking age of the late 70s. We had some brilliant times. It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the beginning of my addiction. I had so many different parties, and enjoyed every minute of it.

“But eventually, as time went on, it started wearing me down. It started affecting my mental health, my weight and everything else.”

Christy now gives talks and supports others in their own battles with sobriety. Photo supplied by Christy McMullen

This New Year’s Eve is likely to look very different from previous years. While Bristol remains in tier two of the government’s Covid-19 restrictions, venues will have to close at 11pm and house parties with anyone outside the household or support bubble are banned.

How the rules will actually affect the celebrations remains to be seen. Local Alcoholics Anonymous groups will likely offer virtual sober celebrations to support people, during a season when socialising is often lubricated by alcohol.

“You’re fragile and frail in the beginning of your recovery,” says Christy. “If they’d said Father Christmas would get me well if I prayed to him, I would’ve done. I would have done anything in the beginning. People are bruised and battered when they first come into recovery, they need a lot of guidance.”

Charity Alcohol Change UK suggests that only 18 per cent of England’s dependent drinkers are receiving treatment.

Christy outside Hope Community Church in Hotwells, from where he runs recovery sessions. Photo supplied by Christy McMullen

Today, Christy runs Celebrate Recovery at Hope Community Church in Hotwells. Having travelled to California to meet the founders of Celebrate Recovery, Christy brought the programme back to the UK and launched it in Bristol three years ago.

“It caters for every addiction. Eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, online shopping, gambling. When you go through the Twelve Steps, it’s like Sherlock Holmes investigating you personally. Anybody can join – only one in three members are addicted to drink or drugs. It’s for anybody with hurts, hang-ups and habits.”

As New Year’s Eve approaches, Christy intends to spend the evening relishing his newfound peace. “I know that if I don’t drink, then I can really enjoy it,” he says. “I stand at my flat window, and I can see right across Bristol. I see all the fireworks going off. Sometimes you’ve just got to be happy with you.”

Celebrate Recovery runs every Monday evening from 7.30-9pm at Hope Community Church in Clifton and is open to all. Find out more by visiting www.hopechapel.co.uk

Main image provided by Christy McMullen

Read more: ‘It had been impossible to break through the cycle of addiction’