Royal Navy veteran Tony Halliday explains how alcohol became a problem for him and how We Are With You helped him get his life back on track: My father was in the Royal Navy and I followed his footsteps joining as a Gunner in 1980. I enjoyed my time in the Navy touring six months around the Caribbean preventing drug smuggling and touring Lebanon in Beirut. My time traveling in the Navy allowed me to feel free, proud and I finally felt like I belonged.
I married and had a son in 1987 which cemented my decision to leave the Navy as I wanted to be a full-time father and be involved fully in my son's life. I struggled with the transition to civilian life and discovered that trauma I had previously buried and ran away from began to resurface. Alcohol had always been a part of my life but I noticed I began using it more and more. I always felt that it was part of being a man to have a drink after work, or when out with the lads. Over time my marriage broke down and I reverted to my old friend ‘Jack Daniels’ for comfort.
Growing up alcohol was constantly around me so I began accessing this from the age of 7. My parents both were big alcohol consumers, so this was my ‘normal.’ It is difficult for me to talk about my past and childhood, however I learnt overtime alcohol helped numb my thoughts and feelings around this.
