Call Us: 
- Introduction
- Taking the leap and coming to Delamere
- Lessons learned during Jerome’s time at Delamere
- The challenges and the wins in recovery
- The advice you’d offer to your younger self
- What makes Delamere special
Everyone’s path is different, and for the second instalment of Recovery Journeys, we will be sharing Jerome’s story.
Jerome is a Recovery Mentor at Delamere, loved by guests for his calming and grounded nature. But before joining our team, Jerome first stepped foot into Delamere in 2022 as a guest.
We chatted with Jerome as he shared his transformation over the last few years.
Taking the leap and coming to Delamere
“I came to Delamere for my alcoholism, alongside my mental health problems in 2022. I realised I had no more escape plans, and I’d had enough of having enough. I realised deep down inside that the type of life I had been living was a complete and utter lie, and it was time to let the world know that everything is not okay.
Lessons learned during Jerome’s time at Delamere
“Delamere taught me that when an individual chooses to run away from their misery, then freedom can come.
“It is hard work, but this is worth it – I would not swap the life I have today for anything.
“For 30 years I had been a Roman Catholic priest, and when I entered my training at 18, I believed I couldn’t do anything else with my life. I entered as a young gay man completely ashamed of his homosexuality, and thinking I could escape from my problems within the institution of the church.
“I found that alcohol took away stress, anxiety and loneliness – but today I’ve realised that those same problems always arrived back.
The challenges and the wins in recovery
“The hardest part of recovery was leaving behind a life that was very secure and predictable, and having the courage to say, “I can’t do this anymore”. It’s more than putting down the drink, but a change in personality as well.
“My biggest win was two years into recovery, I finally turned off the bedroom light and slept in the darkness – something I hadn’t done for years.
“In my younger years, I would stick to side alleys and back streets in fear of what people thought of me. I now walk down the street with the belief that nobody is interested in me, walking in peace.
The advice you’d offer to your younger self
“If I had to give advice to my younger self, I would tell him it’s going to be okay. When I came out of Delamere a few years ago, I shook hands with my seven-year-old self. The boy that was there before the drama and nightmares started; to tell him it’ll all turn out well in the end.
“I would tell myself to be good to myself and trust myself, trust that the tiny sparks can be formed into flames of achievement. You can get yourself back, there is nothing impossible in this world once you trust yourself.
What makes Delamere special
“What makes Delamere so special is the lived experience of the other guests staying there. Delamere respects everyone’s autonomy and encourages everyone to look for the resources deep within them to manage their own recovery.
“The key is connection.”
If you’ve been inspired by Jerome to share your story, and help others on their recovery journey, reach out to our team today.
Call us confidentially at any time to speak to a member of our team.
Call us now: 0330 111 2015
