A man made a decision that has changed his life after working with "high risk offenders" and seeing first hand how alcohol can turn people's lives into misery.
Scott Woolley spent eight years working in drug and treatment services across Merseyside. After working with people from a range of walks of life, including those released from prison on licence, Scott, 34, began to question his own relationship with alcohol.
Scott, from Port Sunlight, realised he would drink as a form of "escapism". He said: "I'd always told myself because I only drank recreationally that it wasn't a problem."
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But he said it left him "less ambitious, less creative and feeling less fulfilled". He made the decision to try a period of abstinence after quitting his job to travel for a year.
Scott said: "I'd taken a leap of faith to experience a new life, new passions. It was liberating. I'd always imagined a sober life would be boring, but the more time that passed between me and my last drink I realised I could not have been more wrong."
Reflecting on his decision now, with eight years since his last drink, he added: "I feel young, I feel energetic. I don't have to endure days in bed hungover, riddled with hangxiety, and dreading the outside world. I'm more productive of a weekend and my sleeping pattern is more stable. I love sleep. Never underestimate sleep.
"I'm happier, that's the most important thing, right? I'm well in tune with my mood and understand how substances can negatively affect it. My mental health is in a much better place and I'm more passionate about helping others."
Scott now wants to create a "sober community" in Merseyside as more people turn to sobriety, or become "sober curious", amid a rise in alcohol free events and lifestyles. He has set up Arclett, named after Loch Arklet, one of Scott's favorite places in Scotland, which shares how "the great outdoors inspires sober living".
Arclett aims to connect people through community, events and retreats. After his work in the treatment industry, Scott said he feels compelled to help others.
Scott said: "If you are sober curious, looking to extend Dry January or crave outdoor therapy, we invite you to connect with Arclett and become part our free community. Each step you take will inspire others to go further."
For more information about Arclett, click here
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