"What an experience it was, it has changed my life"

I was a client on CGL's 2 week community detox program and what an experience it was, it has changed my life.

All staff were superb to work with, I had fantastic support from CC, Neghat, Faz and Alex, as well as being superbly welcomed by every single person who worked there.  I also had my key worker Michelle, who is great.

I was nervous, but the other people like me, the clients, were so nice, we all had a problem with enjoying alcohol excessively. It was a serious problem for all of us and we were here to fix it. We were alcoholics.  There, I've said it, it's something that is very hard to admit.  It feels shameful, but it's a hugely common problem and we should try to lose our shame and just fix it, yet still I write anonymously.

We had 2 weeks of informal, relaxed, supportive care from the team members above to help us, including medication to help withdrawal, vitamin injections to help us thrive and acupuncture to help with our anxiety (all optional).  But most importantly, we bonded with each of them, as all had great passion and a drive to help us. We also bonded with each other.

We ended the 2 week program with a wonderful graduation event, where our family and friends were invited to join us to celebrate our achievement.  

Such was our delight with the support we received on the program, each of us in our group (CGL clients), decided we would speak and feedback about one member each of our core team. I was nominated by the other clients to feedback on (CC) and I was delighted to do so on the day and decided I'd share all of this great support from everyone and the feedback I provided on CC here, so that future clients have confidence with the people who are supporting you. 

CC was exceptional - she is authentic, resilient, passionate, innovative and has great charisma, which makes others want to follow her, the key characteristics of a future leader.

She inspires and encourages, whilst demonstrating empathy. She has a natural knack of connecting positively with others.

She came up with great ideas such as introducing video clips from us to make our graduation more interactive for the whole audience. She chose songs to kick off the proceedings which really hit at the hearts of all in the room, many of us in tears. They were beautiful choices which told stories of difficult journeys which were so apt for the occasion.

She pushed out all the stops to help decorate the room and transform a boring office space into a super celebration event. Her desire and drive to make this a fantastic day for all was infectious and certainly paid off.

But where she really had the opportunity to shine was as the key host/speaker of our graduation event. She is a complete natural, her public speaking skills should be exploited to their full potential and were I a leader of CGL, I would be utilising those skills at every opportunity. She connects with the audience in a way which engages and delights and her great passion as I said is infectious. The crowd loved her.

Most importantly as a client she inspired and motivated me and that in itself is a quality CGL must embrace, in my view. She is such a credit to CGL, hold on to her and develop her to her full potential.

Thank you to everyone at CGL. I've had a wonderful experience.

And most importantly, for others who drink alcohol to excess (you may not feel able to label yourself as an alcoholic), speak to your GP to get a referral, step through their door, feel the care and support and kick this  alcohol problem out of your life once and for all.

Just do it!