A woman who used to swig vodka and coke from a bottle when walking her young son to school, is celebrating nearly ten years of sobriety and shall mark the anniversary by running the London Marathon. In May 2015, the mother-of-two reached breaking point, with her doctor growing increasingly concerned for her health, her relationship with alcohol was affecting her relationship with her family, and it she had to make a change.
Care-assistant, Rachael Goatman, 53 from Berkeley, would nip to the local shop before the school run to buy a bottle of vodka. She would then hide to mix it with some cola and swig it from the bottle while taking her son to school.
Initially Rachael, like many, had started drinking as a teenager, and it progressed over the years to drinking a bottle of wine a day, to drinking vodka and hiding alcohol in the house. She did eventually reveal she had a very abusive childhood, and it was a major contributing factor which prompted her to continue drinking from a young age.
At low points, Rachael would drink to excess where she would lose control and family members would be called by those who knew her to collect her. She would be seen outside shops in the town she lived asking people to buy alcohol for her after the shopkeepers had refused to serve her, and this resulted in her husband taking her bank cards off her in a bid to prevent Rachael buying any more alcohol.
Drinking also led to Rachael landing herself with a criminal record as she assaulted a police officer and landed herself in court charged with assault and was given a one year suspended sentence. Rachael lost her job as she had turned up to work drunk, she stole and she sold items to be able to buy vodka. Things were bad, she said.
Years gone by, and with Rachael firmly in recovery, she is not looking back and has ‘an amazing life’. Nothing is holding her back from doing things she missed out whilst living in the oblivion of alcohol.
Rachael said: “I gave up alcohol on May 22 2015 and have been completely sober since. On the day I stopped drinking, I knew on this day I knew I couldn’t continue my life with alcohol.
“I was exhausted and tired everyday ending up the same way. It was a constant battle to get hold of the alcohol because I would do whatever I could to get it.
“The truth is, I didn’t want to continue to live in this way the constant pressure of getting alcohol. I was causing so much hurt to those I cared about, and the GP was growing increasingly and greatly concerned about my health.
“I was beaten and surrendered knowing I could not carry on anymore. I made the decision and I worked on my recovery one day at a time. I have a tattoo on my wrist to remind myself to take it ‘one day at a time’. “
Rachael has been married to her husband James for nearly 34 years and believes having her family and friends helped her stay focused on recovery. It was not easy for those who knew and loved Rachael as her addiction impacted on them as well, but somehow they remained strong together through an incredibly difficult time.
She said: “I have a daily reprieve from this illness with love support of family friends and work and I know I never need become unwell again. I never ever had one drink, as experience from doing that in past leads down the same dark road.
“To keep me focused, I have ran for the entire time I have been sober. Running has kept me physically fit and helps with my mental health considerably.
“To date, I have ran 150 park run with my park run family at Berkeley Green and I have also completed two marathons, one ultra marathon and six triathlons along with countless 10ks and half marathons. A highlight of my runs was last year when I did the Stroud half marathon dressed as a flamingo which I may do this year again.”
“Life has changed beyond belief i am conscious for a start able to function as a human being. I was unable to do anything apart from being an alcoholic. I drive to work, function, eat properly now. I have an amazing life.”
Rachael works full time as a health care assistant with the elderly, at home near where she lives. She says her colleagues are very supportive team and she absolutely loves her work.
Where to get help
Alcoholics Anonymous
The Gloucestershire telephone helpline is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. It is on 01452 418515
Website: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/AA-Meetings/Find-a-Meeting
Al-Anon Provides support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not.
In Gloucestershire, there are currently local groups in Gloucester, Stroud, and Cheltenham. Please visit the website for more details of the groups.
Telephone: 020 7403 0888
Website: http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk
She said: “I ran the London Marathon in 2016, and are planning on running my final marathon, aged 53 for RNIB to celebrate 10 years of my sobriety. I have chosen RNIB as I am registered guide runner for blind, and partially sighted. I am a Health Care Assistant and work with people with sight problems.”